Information System Essay Example for Free

Information System Essay Information System In Hotel Seri Malaysia Kangar Hotel Seri Malaysia Kangar is currently using the Guest Centrix system. Being the first Hotel Seri Malaysia branch and the earlier hotel amongst hotels in Malaysia that using and implement the Guest Centrix system in their management. Guest Centrix system has built integration with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, e-mail and many other. It offers a stable and friendly user-interface, improved by the wary use of colour and graphics. Hotel employees can learnt the system quickly, saving the time and money especially in the staff training. The flow of the guest cycle throughout the Hotel Seri Malaysia Reservation The customers or guests who decide to stay at Hotel Seri Malaysia can make their reservation or room booking through hotel’s website, travel agents such as Agoda or booking.com, or call the hotel itself. If the reservation is accepted, the reservation agent or hotel staffs will create a reservation record that linked with Guest Centrix system. This reservation status may include the guests detail and specific request which will help the hotel to provide modified service to the guests during his or her stay. All the details on guests may help the hotel staffs to complete the pre-registration activities such as assigning room according to the request from guest, room rate to be charged to the guest folio during the stay. The hotel staffs need to make sure that the room is available when the guests arrive at the hotel. Arrival After the guests arrive at the hotel, the front office will responsible for the registration and room assignment process. The front office need to clarify the query of the guests especially the details of the room rate or packages that had been booked on. Before that, front office need to make sure the guest’s reservation status before beginning the registration process and checking them in. The guests will filled in the registration form that contain the full name, identification card numbers, home address, billing instruction, reservation details and others. Once the method of payment confirmed and been signed by the guests, the registration process is complete. The guest may be given the key card and breakfast coupons during the stays. During The Accommodation Period During the occupancy, the front office is responsible for managing guest requests and providing the information and supplies to the guests. Also, front office should respond to the guest requests on time in accurate manner and meet the guest expectation of the hotel service. During this period, the security will be main consideration by the hotel. The front office should observe the hotel standard operating procedures in handling the guest key, guest personal property, emergencies that also important. The front office will observe the additional charges that need to be added into guest account that include the restaurant charges, or telephone bills. Departure The last element in guest cycle in hotel is checking out and creating the guests history record. During this stage, the guests will settle down all the outstanding bills or payment to the front office. After completing all the payment, the guest will return the room key card and leave the hotel. The role of Guest Centrix System in Hotel Operation Front Office Guest Centrix system has simplified the front officer in term of reservation, registration, check in and check out of the guests that staying at Hotel Seri Malaysia Kangar. The guests who make room reservation through website or travel agents, Guest Centrix system will create the booking status and store the reservation status in the hotel database. The hotel’s website has been designed to interact directly with Guest Centrix database that allows the guests or customers to see the hotel available rooms at certain date and packages offered. After the guests or customers finished their booking, the system also offers the payment option such as credit card or online banking and the confirmation will be sent by email. During the registration, the front office will indicate the guests booking status before checking in. all the details includes the room or packages that already booked should be available for the guests. The guest can check in to the hotel once the registration process complete. The key card that been given to the guests has linked with the hotel information system. The key card system will provide different information on the room occupancy status which is reserved, occupied, or available. For the checking out process, the front office will notified the guests with outstanding payment during the accommodation period. The outstanding payment is automatically been added in the guests account which is called guest folio. The guest can decide on payment method such as credit card, debit card or cash as long as the hotel accepted it. In addition, the guest information data will automatically store in the hotel information system. The record is called guest history and all the data such as guest personal information, special requirement or even past reservation is stored in Guest Centrix system. This enables the hotel staffs to identify the repeat or new guest that choose the hotel Seri Malaysia Kangar. Housekeeping The front office and housekeeping staffs were linked with each other. All the interactions between both departments especially about the room that need to be clean, inspect or repaired will automatically show in Guest Centrix system. For each room that is occupied or available, the room status will be clean or dirty. The housekeeping staffs are responsible to clean the room so that the room status changes through the Private Branch Exchange (PBX) Interface and record it as clean in Guest Centrix System. PBX interface is used to make connections amongst the internal telephone in all rooms with the Guest Centrix system. The front office will informed the housekeeping staffs by using the walkie-talkie to inspect the room and the housekeeping staffs will monitor the room. After the job done, the housekeeper will press certain code by using telephone at the inspected room and link with the Guest Centrix system and notified the system that the room is already inspected. Food and Beverages For the guests who dine in in the hotel restaurant, all the bills from the restaurant will be insert by the food and beverages staffs in the guest account that will automatically linked to the Guest Centrix system. During the checking out process, the front office may refer into the guests account to distinguish the total payment should be paid by the guests. Hotel Manual System Human Resource Human resource department in Hotel Seri Malaysia is using punch card system to organize the staffs working hour and daily attendance. The hotel will tracked the payroll total through the punch card system. Also, the human resource department using the filing system to manage the hotel staffs record. All the data of permanent, contract and leaving staffs are stored in hotel filing system. Security and maintenance For security and maintenance department, there are surveillance system which is CCTV system that monitors the hotel facilities, and surrounding areas. In Hotel Seri Malaysia Kangar, CCTV system is used to observe different areas from a central control room. In the central control room, there will be one or two security officer that will monitors through the CCTV screen display.

Impact Of Floods In Low Lying Areas Environmental Sciences Essay

Impact Of Floods In Low Lying Areas Environmental Sciences Essay Vijayawada city is situated on the banks of river Krishna. Floods affect the city many times, which creates damage to the people and properties. The city has faced many floods since long back. The aim of the study is to find out the factors which are responsible for the floods in the city and the impact of the floods in the low lying areas (which are mostly affected) of Vijayawada. This study will be useful to work out the measures to handle the floods in the city. A few suggestions have been given to tackle the damaging phenomenon of the floods. Keywords: Vijayawada, Krishna River, Budameru canal, Floods, INTRODUCTION: Vijayawada is the third largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Over the years, Vijayawada has been experiencing extensive development coupled with high urban growth. It is an important commercial and transport centre of the State. Being a big city people from all over the country are migrating to Vijayawada for their livelihood irrespective of their caste and creed. The rapid urbanization in the city has led to increase the problem of settlements with the unsafe locations which ultimately causes natural disaster. In addition to this, heavy rains in this area have been causing frequent floods with roads in many places submerged for several hours and the road traffic coming to a halt, bringing in considerable damage to public and private properties. Floods are the most damaging phenomena that effect to the social and economic of the population. It is one of the major disasters affecting the population especially those living in high risk areas, in the flood plains and the low lyi ng areas causing extensive damage to properties and even loss of lives. But before studying the impact of the floods in the low lying areas of Vijayawada, let us first understand the meaning of Floods. A  Flood  is an overflow of water that submerges land.  The  European Union  (EU)  Floods Directive  defines a flood as a covering by water of land not normally covered by water. Flooding may result from the volume of water within a body of water, such as a  river  or  lake, which overflows or breaks levees, with the result that some of the water escapes its usual boundaries,  or may be due to accumulation of rainwater on saturated ground in an aerial flood Floods are caused by many factors: heavy rainfall, highly accelerated  snowmelt, severe winds over water, unusual high tides,  tsunamis, or failure of dams,  levees,  retention ponds, or other structures that retained the water. Flooding can be exacerbated by increased amounts of impervious surface or by other natural hazards such as wildfires, which reduce the supply of vegetation that can absorb rainfall. The factors which are responsible for the flooding of Vijayawada city will be studied in a detailed manner in the following study. TOPOGRAPHY OF THE CITY: The city is sited at the foot of a low range hills on the northern bank of the river Krishna with its cardinal points as 16 ° 31 North latitude and 80 ° 37 East longitude, around 70 km away from the coast. The land lay of Vijayawada is characterized by four canals, four hills and the river Krishna. Vijayawada when approached from Guntur is welcomed by the historic gates across the holy river Krishna. The way to Machilipatnam runs parallel to Budameru canal and crosses two other canals. There are four major hills: a) Indrakiladri Hill b) Machavaram Hill c) Gunadala Hill d) Moghalrajapuram Hill The natural slope of the old town is falling from north to south whereas the new town slopes down from west to east. When compared to the old town, the new town is flat and hence makes drainage less effective. Though the city is protected from high flood banks in the southern side, the low-lying lands are not immune to floods. Indrakiladri hill (One town Vidyadharapuram):- The areas covered by Indrakiladri hill are popularly known as I Town and Vidyadharapuram. It is located on the West Side and Northern Side of Vijayawada City. The height of the hills is about 240 Meters. The perimeter of the hills is about 10 km. The areas such as Ramarajaya Nagar, Kummaraalem, 4-Pillar center, Ali Nagar, Kabela Road are falling with in this hill area. Mogalrajapuram hill Mogalarajpuram Hills of Vijayawada is a major hill range located on the Eastern side of Vijayawada city. The maximum height of the hills is about 250 Meters. The perimeter of the hills is about 6 kms. The areas such as Dasari Ramana Nagar, Ravi Chettu Center, Sunnapubattila Center are falling within these hill areas. Machavaram hill Machavaram Hills of Vijayawada is a major hill range located on the East Side of Vijayawada City. The maximum height of the hills is about 240 Mts. The perimeter of the the hill area is about 4 km. The areas such as Karimkanagar, Gulammohiddin Nagar, Maruthinagar are falling within these hill areas. Gundala hill Gunadala Hills of Vijayawada is a major hill range located on the Eastern Side of Vijayawada city. The maximum height of the hills is about 242 Meters. The perimeter of the hills is about 10 km. The areas such as Ayyapanagar, Kristurajapuram, Vijayanagar Colony, Arunlagar, Lurthnagar, Betlahem Nagar etc. are falling within these hill areas. Source of the Information: MRO (Urban), Revenue Dept, Vijayawada. Canals:- The Krishna Eastern Main Canal on the left bank of Krishna River, after traversing for one km gets divided into three canals; Eluru canal, Bandar canal and Ryves canal traversing the inner city. Apart from these, Budameru stream skirts the city limits to pass through the rural part of the VMC. Bandar Canal The canal traverses for a distance of 7.5 km on the southern side of the city. For free movement of traffic, the canal has 10 bridges built across it. Ryves Canal The canal flows for a distance of around 7.6 km on the north-eastern side of the city. There are about 8 bridges across it. Eluru Canal The canal runs for a total distance of around 65 km in Krishna and West Godavari districts. There are about six road bridges, two railway bridges and two foot-over bridges across the canal. Land Use Profile The city area can be broadly divided into two categories one Developed area and the second Undeveloped area. Of the Vijayawada corporation area of 6188 ha, the developed land part of the city covers 3753 ha accounting for around 61% of the city area, leaving 2435 ha undeveloped. Land Use Composition: Vijayawada, 2004 S.No Land Use Area in Ha. % to developed area % to total area Developed component 1. Residential ( Built -up ) 1348.25 35.92 21.79 2. Mixed-Residential ( Built -up ) 141.36 3.77 2.28 3. Residential vacant plots 229.02 6.10 4.11 4. Commercial 247.91 6.6 4.01 5. Industrial 72.38 1.93 1.17 6. Public Semi- public 270.16 7.2 4.37 7. Institutional 178.31 4.75 2.88 8. Parks Play grounds 60.34 1.60 0.56 9. Recreational / Others 3.1 0.08 0.05 10. Roads 800.81 21.34 12.94 11. Railway 190.49 5.08 3.08 12. Water Bodies ( Canals Others) 211.26 5.63 3.41 Sub Total 3753.39 100 60.65 Un-Developed component 13. Agricultural Area 885.97 36.40 14.32 14. Vacant Lands 618.27 25.39 9.99 15. Water Bodies ( River) 668.42 27.45 10.80 16. Hills 262.06 10.76 4.23 Sub Total 2434.72 100.00 39.35 Grand Total 6188.11 100.00 100.00 Source: VGTMUDA Rivers and Dams There are two rivers flowing from Vijayawada Krishna River Budameru river/Drain which creates havoc during rainy season. Krishna River The River Krishna takes of its origin in the Western Ghats at an elevation of (+) 1336 Mts and runs for a length of about 1400 km and runs through Vijayawada city and joins at Bay of Bengal. The length of Krishna River up to Prakasam Barrage is about 1310 km. The flow of the river is managed partially by the Nagarjuna Sagar dam which is located to the west of Krishna District and Prakasam Barrage which is located at the beginning of the city. The Krishna Flood bank Above Prakasam Barrage is about 13km and below flood bank is 6.40 km which creates havoc in flood season which starts from June to December. Water release from barrage with 4, 12,734 to 10, 94,422 Cusecs is been observed over the years. Dam management Since the main purpose of the dam is to provide irrigation, the dam authorities try to fill the reservoirs during the monsoon to ensure water availability for the farmers in the surrounding districts during summers. Therefore occurrence of severe rainfall (1 day or 2 day extreme precipitation) due to cyclone or depression during the latter half of the monsoon season in the lower and middle Krishna basin leads sudden increase in the reservoir level forcing the dam authorities to release water which sometime exceeds the carrying capacity of the river. This leads to flooding along the downstream. Flood Banks The total length of flood bank in Krishna District (within which the Vijayawada city is located) is 226.98 km. The flood banks of the River Krishna were originally formed in 1892. The flood banks were provided on both sides of the River up to sea as detailed below to contain the flood water with in the flood banks and there by protect the properties and human lives etc in Krishna District. Details of Flood Banks in Krishna District S.No. Details Of The Flood Banks Length In km 1. Krishna Left flood bank (above Prakasam Barrage) 13.00 2. Krishnalanka Flood bank (below Prakasam Barrage) 6.40 3. Krishna Left flood Bank (below Prakasam Barrage) 89.60 4. Divi Left flood bank 36.00 5. Divi Right Flood Bank 32.00 6. K.E. Tidal Bank Divi Island 22.00 7. Kona Tidal Bank (Machilipatnam Side) 18.50 8. Seadyke Flood Bank (Machilipatnam Side) 2.50 9. West Side Flood Bank (Machilipatnam Side) 6.00 10. Rudravaram Flood Bank (Machilipatnam Side) 4.00 Total 230.00 Source: Irrigation Dept Krishna Lanka Flood Bank: (3.38 km): This flood bank was formed during 1967 to protect the residents of Krishnalanka of Vijayawada city. Embankments /Flood Bank locations S.No Name of the Embankment Length of the Embankment in km Area covered Length of the Embakment within the ward 1 Krishna Left Flood Bank(Above Barrage) From ( Ibrhimpatnam to Prakasham Barage) 13km IbrahimPatnam to BhavaniPuram 6km 2 Bhavani puram To Karakatta South 5km 3 Krakatta South to Lanchi revu/Punnami Hotel 2km 1 Krishna Left Flood bank (Bellow Prakasham Barrage) From Brrage to Ramalaingeswara Nagar (Krishna Lanka) 6.40km Ranadheevi nagar 2 2 Taraka Ramanagar 1.40 3 Bhupesh Gupta Nagar 1 4 Ramalingeswar Nagar 2 Budameru River/Drain Information given in the following pages. Floods Floods are caused by two rivers in the Vijayawada. One is Krishna River which is on the southern part of the city and the other is Budameru River which is on the North- Western part of the city. Both these rivers contribute to the canal network. Bandar canal and Ryves canal are fed by Krishna River while Eluru canal is fed by Krishna River and partially by Budameru River. The contribution of water from Budameru is mostly seasonal and the canal networks are used to discharge excess/flood waters. The topography of the city is complex. The central part of the city is above flood plain with hills while Southern and Northern parts of the city are on flood plain. This problem was realized by the irrigation department in later half of twentieth century and bunds were constructed along canals to prevent flood waters from entering the city. The floods in Vijayawada city due to Krishna River, is a regular phenomenon. Almost every monsoon people living in the flood plains of Krishna River are affected. Krishna Floods The primary reason for the flooding is the unauthorized settlements along the river which had taken place due to lack of planning and enforcement. Flood in the River Krishna are both due to South West Monsoon in the middle of June and continues up to end of September and North East Monsoon begins in October and continues till end of November. High floods usually occur during October. History of Hazard In general, flooding by the Krishna River is a regular phenomenon. The flood history of Krishna River indicates that its flow is uncertain. With the embankments in place the river flows bank to bank almost once in every five years or twice every decade. This time span of five years usually encourages low economic class people to settle on the flood bank. Further the presence of embankments provide a false sense of security to the people and also encourages people who are on the river bed that soon the government is going to construct a embankment that will protect their house. With the rapid increase in population, large numbers of people end up occupying the area between the flood bank along the Bandar canal and the Krishna River. These areas are subjected to regular flooding during monsoons. In order to safe guard the people and the livelihood the Irrigation department constructed a flood bank parallel to the old bund including the unauthorized settlements which had come up. This s tructure was designed to prevent the settlements from flooding. The old flood bank was then converted to serve the purpose of transportation (currently NH5). The people who were earlier residing in flood plain were provided with legal ownership and the area was included within the city town planning scheme. Year Wise observed Maximum Floods in Krishna River Sl.No. Date Month Year Cusecs U/S Side D/S Side Barrage 1. 7th Oct 1903 10,60,830 (+)70.55 (+)69.55 23.50 2. 11th Aug 1914 9,48,632 (+)68.20 (+)67.95 21.15 3. 2nd Nov 1917 9,55,460 (+)68.10 (+)67.25 21.05 4. 24th Sep 1949 9,24,736 (+)68.15 (+)66.00 21.10 5. 2nd Oct 1964 9,87,852 (+)68.25 (+)65.30 23.20 6. 6th Aug 1966 4,12,734 (+)57.95 (+)55.90 12.90 7. 30th Sept 1974 5.97.800 (+)60.65 (+)58.40 15.60 8. 10th July 1983 8,27,310 (+)64.05 (+)62.35 19.00 9. 24th July 1989 6,86,910 (+)61.95 (+)55.0 16.90 10. 17th Oct 1998 9,32,000 (+)65.45 (+)63.30 20.04 11. 21st Sept 2005 7,40,232 (+)62.65 (+)60.00 17.60 12. 17th Aug 2006 5,56,618 (+)59.85 (+)57.60 14.80 13. 21st Sept 2007 5,56,618 (+)59.85 (+)57.60 14.80 14. 11th Aug 2008 4,22,660 (+)57.55 (+)55.20 12.50 15. 5th Oct 2009 10,94,422 (+)68.78 (+)67.50 23.47 Source: Irrigation Dept The maximum flood discharge observed during the year 1903 is 10.60 lakh cusecs. After the construction of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in the upstream of the river, during the year 1998 Krishna River received a maximum flood discharge of 9.32 lakh cusec and caused alarming situation throughout the flood banks below the Prakasam Barrage. Subsequently the flood banks of Krishna River were restored to original standards during the year 1999 to 2000.These restorations did not include flood banks which are within and nearby Vijayawada city namely Krishna Left Flood Bank (upstream of Prakasam Barrage) and Krishnalanka Flood Bank (downstream of Prakasam Barrage). Reasons for Krishna Flood This region receives maximum rainfall both by southwest and retreating monsoons. The primary reason for the flooding is the unauthorized settlements along the river which had taken place due to lack of planning and enforcement. Vijayawada is located on the line which separates the delta-irrigated lands. Flood bank below barrage is about 6.40 km which creates havoc in flood season from June to December. High Water release at time from barrage with 4, 12,734 to 10, and 94,422 Cusecs of water released in various years. Developmental activities like sluice connectivity to into the river is causing back water (3 sluices connected into river). Bund cutting for public private developmental activities (ex: sluice, storm water drains) approach roads for bigger vehicles. Allotting the residential areas officially in flood zone. Ex: Police colony. Breach occurrence and damages occurred to the flood bank with slips and erosion. With little authoritative power over the settlements along the flood banks, the irrigation department is unable to attend swiftly in vulnerable areas. This situation is further complicated by the false hope provided by the politicians in their campaigns during elections that they would support these illegal settlements. In order to gain vote, some of them even promise to protect these people by assuring that once they are elected they would legalize their settlements and will also revisiting the existing embankments. This measure was taken in 1970s when the location of embankments were changed to include people who are in the flood plains. Elevation and location details of Flood affected areas Elevation and location details of Flood affected areas Area Elevation Longitude Latitude Krishna River 37 Ft. Krishna Lanka 86 Ft. 1603017.70 N 8003622.61 E Krishna Lanka 72-83 Ft. 1603012.64 N 8003719.48 E P.N.Bus stand 85 Ft. 1603030.54 N 8003659.67 E VMC 97 Ft. 1603038.41 N 8003642.15 E Krishna Lanka Tardwra 62-73-74Ft. 1603727. 80N 8003011.79 E Ranadhive Nagar 74-79 Ft. 1603020.69 N 8003712.75 E Bus Stand back 69 Ft. 1603022.00 N 8003700.54 E Bhupesh Gupta Nagar 55-64 Ft. 1602946.92 N 8003807.91 E Ramalingeswara Nagar UGD 53 Ft. 1602907.94 N 8003921.17 E Police Colony 59 Ft. 1602908.01 N 8003924.18 E K.R.Market 81 Ft. 1603048.62 N 8003649.36 E Indira Gandhi Stadium 70 Ft. 1603017.72 N 8003817.23 E RTC Colony 85 Ft. 1603151.24 N 8003615.21 E Gannavaram 80 Ft. 1603150.99 N 8004745.57 E Patamata girls High School 69 Ft. 1602943.39 N 8004005.38 E Krishna River at Punnami 52 Ft. 1603128.76 N 8003508.48 E Punnami Ghat 82 Ft. 1603134.71 N 8003516.88 E Source: Irrigation Dept List of vulnerable areas to the Krishna flood Vulnerability population area Area Krishna Flood 15557 1.15 Lanchi Revu 15722 1.88 karakatta Krishna Flood 15814 2.81 Police colony 14798 0.65 Bhupesh Gupta nagar 14608 0.5 Tarakaramanagar 14725 1.46 Randheer Nagar 15418 0.72 15320 1.92 Busstand (back)Saibaba temple 121962 11.09 Source: irrigation Dept Budameru Floods The Budameru River flows from the North Western part of the Krishna District. The river originates in the hills surrounding Mylavaram and flows into Kolleru Lake. In order to control the floods the river is dammed at Velagaleru village, Budameru diversion channel (BDC) is constructed from Velagaleru to join Krishna River upstream of Prakasam barrage. Budameru River is mainly controlled at two areas before reaching Vijayawada city. The first is the regulator across the Budameru drain at Velagaleru village and at Vijayawada Thermal Power Station (VTPS) which is located on the western part of the city on the upstream of Prakasam barrage. The Budameru River apart from flowing along the western part of the city towards the VTPS also enters the city from the north leading into the Budameru canal which runs parallel to Eluru Canal. The problem starts at the tail end of the monsoon, with the reservoir being almost full (but not to its full capacity) and the occurrence of severe rainfall. Since the mandate of the regulator management at Budameru is to fill the reservoir to its capacity and the uncertainty within the rainfall information the release from the regulator drain block, water flow from local catchment causes flooding usually in the northern part of the city The uncertainty in the rainfall is a common phenomenon within the Krishna Basin. This is especially due to the depressions and cyclones which form in both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. This uncertainty combined with the limited carrying capacity of the river and the proximity of the Velagaleru Village regulator provides low respite time for both the administrative personnel to prevent the floods and people to prevent their losses. The design and establishment of the EWS should take into account of this important aspect. The Budameru flood assessment is based on the study of topography and location information collected from secondary sources. There was not much information made available with respect to the regulator release at the Velagaleru Village. Budameru canal has already been indiscriminately blocked by developments and encroachments resulting in thousands of people abandoning their shelters to safe places, loss of property, leaving unhygienic environment for weeks. Settlement along the river course, the vast land pockets on both the sides of the rivulet in New Rajarajeswari Peta, and the Rajeev Nagar area are the prominent low lying areas prove to flood disaster. History Budameru Water discharge during floods Quantified Budameru Water discharge during floods Sl. No. Date Year Discharge Through Total Discharge in cusecs Budameru in cusecs Diversion Channel in Cusecs Budameru Course Cusecs (below reguletor) 1 9.9.62 5900 2923 8823 2 22.8.63 6150 6168 12318 3 22.9.64 11125 28470 39595 4 19.5.69 7500 18580 26080 5 21.8.71 526 3196 3722 6 10.8.76 2225 14784 17009 7 31.7.78 6150 16302 22452 8 6.10.83 4250 9600 13850 9 13.8.86 6800 13200 20000 10 23.7.89 10625 24371 34996 11 11.5.90 7800 24473 32273 12 23.9.91 7500 18572 26072 13 24.8.2000 7850 3699 11549 14 20.9.2005 10945 14000 24945 15 20.9.2005 9900 7100 17000 Source: Irrigation Dept Rainfall and Flood particulars Rainfall and Flood particulars Flood flow (Cusecs) Year Rainfall (MM) Flood flow (Cusecs) Actual Normal 1988-89 1264 1029 24371 1989-90 1580 1029 24473 1990-91 921 1029 18572 2005-06 1239 1034 14000 2008-09 1188 1034 7100 Reasons for Budameru Floods Flood plain While Krishna River flooding affects to the flood plains on the outside of the embankments, but the Budameru River affects the entire North and North western part of the city. This is mainly due to the limited carrying capacity of the Budameru river channel and lack of sufficient mechanisms to drain the excess water during severe rain into the Krishna River. The problem arises when Budameru catchment gets more than average rainfall within 24 48 hours. This leads to the reservoir in the Velagaleru village reach critical level forcing the irrigation department to release water causing floods in Vijayawada. Adding rain water from local catchment and Hills. 2. The settlements The population growth of the city has led to the slow movement of people towards the foot of the hills, which later led to expansion in to the flood zones. Even though much of these settlements are unauthorized the municipality attempts to cater to the basic needs of these illegal settlements by providing services such as roads, water supply and sanitation. These privileges have further encouraged the settlements in expanding in the high slope / risk prone areas. Other reasons Non feasible house constructions Silting of drains Back water due to conjution in storm water (HB colony, Bhavnipuram) Raising the road levels in flood path Occupying the flood bunds Cutting the bund for development activities like bus shelters, beautification etc (Singh Nagar) Less awareness about the situation and negligence about the problem among people. Besides this chocking storm rain water canals, sluice and back water also cause the Budameru flood severely and damage the lives and property Elevation details of probable Flood affected areas with Budameru Area Elevation Longitude Latitude Ajit Singh Nagar 75 Ft. 1603221.66 N 8003828.52 E Vambay Colony 68 Ft. 1603214.17 N 8003917.80 E R.R.Pet 72 Ft. 1603159.80 N 8003747.60 E Budameru at New R.R.Pet 67 Ft. 1603207.69 N 8003753.65 E Rajeev Nagar 67 Ft. 1603215.18 N 8003912.40 E R.R.Peta field 67 Ft. 1603243.98 N 8003725.68 E Jakkampudi 91 Ft. 1603501.71 N 8003655.58 E LBS Nagar 68 Ft. 1603259.87 N 8003655.58 E Andhra Patrika Colony 1603300.92 N 8003841.56 E Rajeev Nagar 64 Ft. 1603322.73 N 8003845.93 E LBS Nagar 68 Ft. 1603257.55 N 8003858.98 E List of Budameru flood effected areas Budameru effecting Areas S. No. population Area(Sq km) Circle Division Areas 1 7744.5 0.64 I 29 Rotary nagar, Ekalayvya nagar,Urmila subbarao nagar,ambedkar road,Kabela 2 7396.5 0.49 30 KLRao Nagar 7814.5 0.21 31 Deenadayal Nagar,Ambedkar nagar 4 7861 0.94 27 Ambedkar Road 5 15201 1.25 28 Housingboard colony, Labor colony Subtotal 46017.5 3.53 6 10 15 15355 0.33 2 36 Deenadayal Nagar,Ambedkar nagar 16 13023 0.56 49 Old RR Peta 17 14092 4.21 52

Chaucers Canterbury Tales - The Modern and Mediaeval Merchants Tale :: The Merchants Tale

The Modern and Mediaeval Merchant's Tale  Ã‚   "The Merchant's Prologue and Tale" is mainly concerned with the infidelity of May while she is married to Januarie. Infidelity is undoubtedly a popular topic for discussion in modern times and is often the subject of magazine or television stories. Despite the concern with marriage and the status of men and women within such a relationship keeping the story applicable to the audience even more than 600 years later, there are many elements of the Prologue and Tale which root them in a mediaeval context. The reasons to marry and the opinions cited show the attitudes of the mediaeval period as do the references to mythological figures such as "Ymeneus, that god of wedding is". Symbolising how the mediaeval and modern aspects of the Tale can be easily combined is the story of Pluto and Proserpina. Although Pluto captures his wife, she is able to spend much of the year away from Hades. This is symbolic of the greater liberty that many women can enjoy in the modern world. Opposing this modern link is the relationship between Januarie and May which is shown to have followed mediaeval tradition to a greater extent concerning the actual marriage and the mercantile nature in which it is brought about. Rather than the freedom for Proserpina agreed between herself and Pluto, Januarie desires a wife of "warm wex" that he can control, ultimately causing May to betray him. Januarie's reasons for marrying are seen as improper both in the mediaeval and modern contexts. He wishes to be married simply because he is old and society seems to say that he should. There is no consideration of love, only of lust as he declares, "I wol noon oold wyf han in no manere". A mediaeval audience would have been aware that an emphasis on carnal pleasure was displeasing to God, while this would be less of an issue to a modern audience. As marriage was considered by the mediaeval audience to be an embodiment of Christ's devotion to the Church, the theme of infidelity would be apparent to the modern audience, but without the ironic details obvious to the earlier audience. In addition to this, the simple fact that Januarie's friends are prepared to find "to whom [he] may be wedded hastily", rather than let Januarie look for himself roots the Tale in a mediaeval context as such an idea is almost inconceivable in the year 2000.

The Lord Of The Flies: Summary :: The Lord of the Flies

The Lord of the Flies: Summary The novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, an adventure and suspense story, is written in 1857. The story sets on an deserted Pacific coral island. A group of school boys are marooned on this island after a plane crash on a trip to Australia. The story begins with a large number of school boys on an uninhabited tropical island and two of the elder boys who have leadership qualities compete to achieve a semblance of order so as to survive. Ralph, who has found a conch and blows it to summon all the boys to a meeting, is concerned about the well being of everyone, while Jack is more concerned with making rules and punishing offenders. However, only one firm rule is established by Ralph and that is only the person holding the conch will be permitted to speak at meetings. The two leaders soon discover that they do not like each other because of their difference priorities and the conflict begins between them. It causes the group to split into two, with Jack=s followers being in the majority. Ralph is concerned with building shelters, arranging work and on being rescued but Jack only wants to roam the jungle and hunt. The failure to establish rules soon creates confusion and inappropriate behavior encouraged by Jack. Ralph=s only supporter is Piggy, a fat asthmatic boys who nobody likes because he is always lecturing and criticizing everyone=s behavior. Jack bullies him constantly and the other boys make fun of him. Jack and his followers spend most of their time hunting for wild pigs so Ralph=s efforts to organize the group fail. By now, most of the older boys are beginning to act like savages, hunting wild pigs, going into a frenzy when they succeed and celebrate their kill with wild dancing around a fire. One night during an air-battle, a body of a parachutist lands on the island and has become tangled on some rocks on the mountain. A rumor of a Abeast@ on their island discovers that the beast the parachutist but unfortunately never has the opportunity to tell the others. He is mistaken for the beast and is accidentally killed during a wild celebration feast that takes place after a successful hunt by Jack and his followers. Later on, Ralph=s last follower is also killed but not by accident. Ralph has lost all his followers and is pursued by the others who want to kill him. Will he survive? And who is the Lord of the Flies? The story, full of suspense and horror, captures my imagination and my

Literary Devices Used In Macbeth Essay -- essays research papers

Literary Devices used in Macbeth Imagine how dull a Shakespearean play would be without the ingenious literary devices and techniques that contribute so much to the fulfillment of its reader or viewer. Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is a tragedy that combines fact and legend to tell the story of an eleventh century king. Shakespeare uses numerous types of literary techniques to make this tragic play more appealing. Three literary devices that Shakespeare uses to make Macbeth more interesting and effective are irony, symbolism, and imagery.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One technique that Shakespeare uses is irony. Verbal irony is when a character says one thing but means the opposite. When a reader understands the irony of what a character is saying, then he can truly understand the nature and intentions of the character. An example of verbal irony is when Macbeth says to Banquo, "Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir,/ And I’ll request your presence" (Macbeth 3.1.13-14). The reader soon discovers that Banquo never makes it to the banquet because he is brutally murdered by order of Macbeth. Shakespeare also uses situation irony. This occurs when the results of an action or event are different than what is expected. An example of situation irony occurs when Macduff talks to Malcolm and discusses the tragedies that are taking place in Scotland. Without knowing that his own family has been slain Macduff says, " Each new morn/ New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows/ Strike heaven on the fac...

In Penal Colony Discussion on Narration

The narration of the story is in third person through the explorer. The explorer's thoughts and emotions are known by the narrator but the other characters’ minds cannot be read. Even though the narration is done through the explorer, there are many instances where we do not know what the explorer is thinking, therefore this can be classified as limited omniscient, moreover, the narrator in the story does not show any emotional attachment to the events around him or comment on the legality of what is taking place rather he simply describes the proceedings in a very monotonous way.For example, when the explorer finds out that the condemned man will be put to death by a machine without any chance of defending himself or having his innocence or guilt proven, the narrator shows no reaction to this unjust act. He continues to understate situations which would normally cause some type of reaction. Perhaps this is done intentionally so as to not influence the reader and let the reade r formulate their own thoughts.But, by being a passive bystander as the events unfold, one does feel a sense of helplessness and even some guilt as this line shows: â€Å"The explorer wanted to intervene and possibly bring the whole thing to a standstill; this was no torture such as the officer wished to achieve, this was outright murder. † (p. 73). This event, where the officer dies, is called a â€Å"murder† as the original purpose of the machine, to execute over twelve hours is not realized. The explorer is impressed by the officer’s devotion to the machine but the lack of action makes the narrator untrustworthy.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Twenty-one

Can't sleep?† Jack looked up from where he was still sitting in his uncle's study. Thomas was standing in the doorway. â€Å"No,† he said. Thomas walked in. â€Å"Nor I.† Jack held out the bottle of brandy he'd taken from the shelf. There had not been a speck of dust on it, even though he was quite certain it had gone untouched since his uncle's death. Aunt Mary had always run a pristine household. â€Å"It's good,† Jack said. â€Å"I think my uncle was saving it.† He blinked, looking down at the label, then murmured, â€Å"Not for this, I imagine.† He motioned to a set of crystal snifters near the window, waiting with the bottle in hand as Thomas walked across the room and took one. When Thomas returned, he sat in the study's other wingback chair, setting his snifter down on the small, low table between them. Jack reached out and poured. Generously. Thomas took the brandy and drank, his eyes narrowing as he stared out the window. â€Å"It will be dawn soon.† Jack nodded. There were no hints of pink in the sky, but the pale silvery glow of morning had begun to permeate the air. â€Å"Has anyone awakened?† he asked. â€Å"Not that I've heard.† They sat in silence for several moments. Jack finished his drink and considered another. He picked up the bottle to pour, but as the first drops splashed down, he realized he didn't really want it. He looked up. â€Å"Do you ever feel as if you are on display?† Thomas's face remained impassive. â€Å"All the time.† â€Å"How do you bear it?† â€Å"I don't know anything else.† Jack placed his fingers to his forehead and rubbed. He had a blistering headache and no reason to suppose it might improve. â€Å"It's going to be hideous today.† Thomas nodded. Jack closed his eyes. It was easy to picture the scene. The dowager would insist upon reading the register first, and Crowland would be right over his shoulder, cackling away, ready to sell his daughter off to the highest bidder. His aunt would probably want to come, and Amelia, too – and who could blame her? She had as much at stake as anyone. The only person who would not be there was Grace. The only person he needed by his side. â€Å"It's going to be a bloody circus,† Jack muttered. â€Å"Indeed.† They sat there, doing nothing, and then they both looked up at precisely the same moment. Their eyes met, and Jack watched Thomas's face as his gaze slid over toward the window. Outside. â€Å"Shall we?† Jack asked, and he felt the first glimmerings of a smile. â€Å"Before anyone – â€Å" â€Å"Right now.† Because really, no one else had a place at this table. Thomas stood. â€Å"Lead the way.† Jack rose to his feet and headed out the door, Thomas right behind. And as they mounted their horses and took off, the air still heavy with night, it occurred to him – They were cousins. And for the first time, that felt like a good thing. Morning was well under way when they reached the Maguiresbridge church. Jack had been there several times before, visiting his mother's family, and the old gray stone felt comfortable and familiar. The building was small, and humble, and in his opinion, everything a church ought to be. â€Å"It does not look as if anyone is about,† Thomas said. If he was unimpressed by the plainness of the architecture, he did not indicate as much. â€Å"The register will likely be at the rectory,† Jack said. Thomas nodded, and they dismounted, tying their horses to a hitching post before making their way to the front of the rectory. They knocked several times before they heard footsteps moving toward them from within. The door opened, revealing a woman of middling years, clearly the housekeeper. â€Å"Good day, ma'am,† Jack said, offering her a polite bow. â€Å"I am Jack Audley, and this is – â€Å" â€Å"Thomas Cavendish,† Thomas cut in, nodding in greeting. Jack gave him a bit of a dry look at that, which the housekeeper would surely have noticed if she hadn't been so obviously irritated by their arrival. â€Å"We would like to see the parish register,† Jack said. She stared at them for a moment and a half and then jerked her head toward the rear. â€Å"It's in the back room,† she said. â€Å"The vicar's office.† â€Å"Er, is the vicar present?† Jack asked, although the last bit of the last word was covered by a grunt, brought on by Thomas's elbow pressing into his side. â€Å"No vicar just now,† the housekeeper said. â€Å"The position is vacant.† She walked over to a well-worn sofa in front of the fire and sat down. â€Å"We're supposed to get someone new soon. They send someone from Enniskillen every Sunday to deliver a sermon.† She then picked up a plate of toast and turned her back on them completely. Jack looked over at Thomas. Who he found was looking over at him. He supposed they were just meant to go in. So they did. The office was larger than Jack would have expected, given the tight quarters of the rest of the rectory. There were three windows, one on the north wall and then two on the west, flanking the fireplace. A small but tidy flame was burning; Jack walked over to warm his hands. â€Å"Do you know what a parish register looks like?† Thomas asked. Jack shrugged and shook his head. He stretched his fingers, then flexed his feet as best as he could within the confines of his boots. His muscles were growing tense and jumpy, and everytime he tried to hold still, he realized that his fingers were drumming a frantic tattoo on his leg. He wanted to jump out of his skin. He wanted to jump right out of his – â€Å"This may be it.† Jack turned. Thomas was holding a large book. It was bound in brown leather, and the cover showed signs of age. â€Å"Shall we?† Thomas asked. His voice was even, but Jack saw him swallow spasmodically. And his hands were trembling. â€Å"You can do it,† Jack said. He could not fake it this time. He could not stand there and pretend to read. Some things were simply too much to bear. Thomas stared at him in shock. â€Å"You don't want to look with me?† â€Å"I trust you.† It was true. Thomas could not think of a more inherently trustworthy person. Thomas would not lie. Not even about this. â€Å"No,† Thomas said, dismissing this entirely. â€Å"I won't do it without you.† For a moment Jack just stood there unmoving, and then, cursing under his breath, he went over to join Thomas at the desk. â€Å"You're too bloody noble,† Jack bit off. Thomas muttered something Jack could not quite make out and set the book down, opening it to one of the first pages. Jack looked down. It was a blur, all swirls and dips, dancing before his eyes. He swallowed, stealing a glance at Thomas to see if he'd seen anything. But Thomas was staring down at the register, his eyes moving quickly from left to right as he flipped through the pages. And then he slowed down. Jack clenched his teeth, trying to make it out. Sometimes he could tell the bigger letters, and frequently the numbers. It was just that they were so often not where he thought they should be, or not what he thought they should be. Ah, idiocy. It ought to have been familiar by now. But it never was. â€Å"Do you know what month your parents would have married in?† Thomas asked. â€Å"No.† But it was a small parish. How many weddings could there have been? Jack watched Thomas's fingers. They moved along the edge of the page, then slid around the edge. And flipped it. And stopped. Jack looked at Thomas. He was still. He'd closed his eyes. And it was clear. On his face. It was clear. â€Å"Dear God.† The words fell from Jack's lips like tears. It wasn't a surprise, and yet, he'd been hoping†¦praying†¦ That his parents hadn't married. Or the proof had been lost. That someone, anyone, had been wrong because this was wrong. It could not be happening. He could not do this. Just look at him now. He was standing there bloody well pretending to read the register. How in God's name did anyone think he could be a duke? Contracts? Oh, that would be fun. Rents? He'd better get a trustworthy steward, since it wasn't as if he could check to see if he was being cheated. And then – he choked back a horrified laugh – it was a damned good thing he could sign his documents with a seal. The Lord knew how long it would take to learn to sign his new name without looking as if he had to think about it. John Cavendish-Audley had taken months. Was it any wonder he'd been so eager to drop the Cavendish? Jack brought his face to his hands, closing his eyes tight. This could not be happening. He'd known it would happen, and yet, here he was, convinced it was an impossibility. He was going mad. He felt like he couldn't breathe. â€Å"Who is Philip?† Thomas asked. â€Å"What?† Jack practically snapped. â€Å"Philip Galbraith. He was a witness.† Jack looked up. And then down at the register. At the swirls and dips that apparently spelled out his uncle's name. â€Å"My mother's brother.† â€Å"Does he still live?† â€Å"I don't know. He did the last I knew. It has been five years.† Jack thought furiously. Why was Thomas asking? Would it mean anything if Philip was dead? The proof was still right there in the register. The register. Jack stared at it, his lips parted and slack. It was the enemy. That one little book. Grace had said she could not marry him if he was the Duke of Wyndham. Thomas had made no secret of the mountains of paperwork that lay ahead. If he was the Duke of Wyndham. But there was only that book. There was only that page. Just one page, and he could remain Jack Audley. All his problems would be solved. â€Å"Tear it out,† Jack whispered. â€Å"What did you say?† â€Å"Tear it out.† â€Å"Are you mad?† Jack shook his head. â€Å"You are the duke.† Thomas looked down at the register. â€Å"No,† he said softly, â€Å"I'm not.† â€Å"No.† Jack's voice grew urgent, and he grabbed Thomas by the shoulders. â€Å"You are what Wyndham needs. What everyone needs.† â€Å"Stop, you – â€Å" â€Å"Listen to me,† Jack implored. â€Å"You are born and bred to the job. I will ruin everything. Do you understand? I cannot do it. I cannot do it.† But Thomas just shook his head. â€Å"I may be bred to it, but you were born to it. And I cannot take what is yours.† â€Å"I don't want it!† Jack burst out. â€Å"It is not yours to accept or deny,† Thomas said, his voice numbingly calm. â€Å"Don't you understand? It is not a possession. It is who you are.† â€Å"Oh, for God's sake,† Jack swore. He raked his hands through his hair. He grabbed at it, pulled entire fistfuls until his scalp felt as if it were stretching off the bone. â€Å"I am giving it to you. On a bloody silver platter. You stay the duke, and I shall leave you alone. I'll be your scout in the Outer Hebrides. Anything. Just tear the page out.† â€Å"If you didn't want the title, why didn't you just say that your parents hadn't been married at the outset?† Thomas shot back. â€Å"I asked you if your parents were married. You could have said no.† â€Å"I didn't know that I was in line to inherit when you questioned my legitimacy.† Jack gulped. His throat tasted acrid and afraid. He stared at Thomas, trying to gauge his thoughts. How could he be so bloody upright and noble? Anyone else would have ripped that page to shreds. But no, not Thomas Cavendish. He would do what was right. Not what was best, but what was right. Bloody fool. Thomas was just standing there, staring at the register. And he – he was ready to climb the walls. His entire body was shaking, his heart pounding, and he – What was that noise? â€Å"Do you hear that?† Jack whispered urgently. Horses. â€Å"They're here,† Thomas said. Jack stopped breathing. Through the window he could see a carriage approaching. He was out of time. He looked at Thomas. Thomas was staring down at the register. â€Å"I can't do it,† he whispered. Jack didn't think. He just moved. He leapt past Thomas to the church register and tore. Thomas tackled him, trying to grab the paper away, but Jack slid out from his grasp, launching himself toward the fire. â€Å"Jack, no!† Thomas yelled, but Jack was too quick, and even as Thomas caught hold of his arm, Jack managed to hurl the paper into the fire. The fight drained from both of them in an instant, and they both stood transfixed, watching the paper curl and blacken. â€Å"God in heaven,† Thomas whispered. â€Å"What have you done?† Jack could not take his eyes off the fire. â€Å"I have saved us all.† Grace had not expected to be included in the journey to the Maguiresbridge church. No matter how closely involved she had become in the matter of the Wyndham inheritance, she was not a member of the family. She wasn't even a member of the household any longer. But when the dowager discovered that Jack and Thomas went to the church without her, she had – and Grace did not believe this an exaggeration – gone mad. It required but a minute for her to recover, but for those first sixty seconds it was a terrifying sight. Even Grace had never witnessed the like. And so when it was time to depart, Amelia had refused to leave without her. â€Å"Do not leave me alone with that woman,† she hissed in Grace's ear. â€Å"You won't be alone,† Grace tried to explain. Her father would be going, of course, and Jack's aunt had claimed a spot in the carriage as well. â€Å"Please, Grace,† Amelia begged. She did not know Jack's aunt, and she could not bear to sit next to her father. Not this morning. The dowager had pitched a fit, which was not unexpected, but her tantrum only made Amelia more firm. She grabbed hold of Grace's hand and nearly crushed her fingers. â€Å"Oh, do what you wish,† the dowager had snapped. â€Å"But if you are not in the carriage in three minutes, I shall leave without you.† Which was how it came to pass that Amelia, Grace, and Mary Audley were squeezed together on one side of the carriage, with the dowager and Lord Crowland on the other. The ride to Maguiresbridge had seemed interminably long. Amelia looked out her window, the dowager out hers, and Lord Crowland and Mary Audley did the same. Grace, squeezed in the middle facing backwards, could do nothing but stare at the spot midway between the dowager's and Lord Crowland's heads. Every ten minutes or so the dowager would turn to Mary and demand to know how much longer it would be until they reached their destination. Mary answered each query with admirable deference and patience, and then finally, to everyone's relief, she said, â€Å"We are here.† The dowager hopped down first, but Lord Crowland was close on her heels, practically dragging Amelia behind him. Mary Audley hurried out next, leaving Grace alone at the rear. She sighed. It seemed somehow fitting. By the time Grace reached the front of the rectory, the rest of them were already inside, pushing through the door to another room, where, she presumed, Jack and Thomas were, along with the all-important church register. An open-mouthed woman stood in the center of the front room, a cup of tea balanced precariously in her fingers. â€Å"Good day,† Grace said with a rushed smile, wondering if the others had even bothered to knock. â€Å"Where is it?† she heard the dowager demand, followed by the crash of a door slamming against a wall. â€Å"How dare you leave without me! Where is it? I demand to see the register!† Grace made it to the doorway, but it was still blocked by the others. She couldn't see in. And then she did the last thing she'd ever have expected of herself. She shoved. Hard. She loved him. She loved Jack. And whatever the day brought, she would be there. He would not be alone. She would not allow it. She stumbled inside just as the dowager was screaming, â€Å"What did you find?† Grace steadied herself and looked up. There he was. Jack. He looked awful. Haunted. Her lips formed his name, but she made no sound. She couldn't have. It was as if her voice had been yanked right out of her. She had never seen him thus. His color was wrong – too pale, or maybe too flushed – she couldn't quite tell. And his fingers were trembling. Couldn't anyone else see that? Grace turned to Thomas, because surely he would do something. Say something. But he was staring at Jack. Just like everyone else. No one was speaking. Why wasn't anyone speaking? â€Å"He is Wyndham,† Jack finally said. â€Å"As he should be.† Grace should have jumped for joy, but all she could think was – I don't believe him. He didn't look right. He didn't sound right. The dowager turned on Thomas. â€Å"Is this true?† Thomas did not speak. The dowager growled with frustration and grabbed his arm. â€Å"Is†¦it†¦true?† she demanded. Still, Thomas did not speak. â€Å"There is no record of a marriage,† Jack insisted. Grace wanted to cry. He was lying. It was so obvious†¦to her, to everyone. There was desperation in his voice, and fear, and – Dear God, was he doing this for her? Was he trying to forsake his birthright for her? â€Å"Thomas is the duke,† Jack said again, looking frantically from person to person. â€Å"Why aren't you listening? Why isn't anyone listening to me?† But there was only silence. And then: â€Å"He lies.† It was Thomas, in a voice that was low and even, and absolutely true. Grace let out a choked sob and turned away. She could not bear to watch. â€Å"No,† Jack said, â€Å"I'm telling you – â€Å" â€Å"Oh, for God's sake,† Thomas snapped. â€Å"Do you think no one will find you out? There will be witnesses. Do you really think there won't be any witnesses to the wedding? For God's sake, you can't rewrite the past.† Grace closed her eyes. â€Å"Or burn it,† Thomas said ominously. â€Å"As the case may be.† Oh, Jack, she thought. What have you done? â€Å"He tore the page from the register,† Thomas said. â€Å"He threw it into the fire.† Grace opened her eyes, unable to not look at the hearth. There was no sign of paper. Nothing but black soot and ash under the steady orange flame. â€Å"It's yours,† Thomas said, turning to Jack. He looked him in the eye and then bowed. Jack looked sick. Thomas turned, facing the rest of the room. â€Å"I am – † He cleared his throat, and when he continued, his voice was even and proud. â€Å"I am Mr. Cavendish,† he said, â€Å"and I bid you all a good day.† And then he left. He brushed past them and walked right out the door. At first no one could speak. And then, in a moment that was almost grotesque, Lord Crowland turned to Jack and bowed. â€Å"Your grace,† he said. â€Å"No,† Jack said, shaking his head. He turned to the dowager. â€Å"Do not allow this. He will make a better duke.† â€Å"True enough,† Lord Crowland said, completely oblivious to Jack's distress. â€Å"But you'll learn.† And then – Jack couldn't help it – he started to laugh. From deep within him, his sense of the absurd rose to the fore, and he laughed. Because good God, if there was one thing he'd never be able to do, it was learn. Anything. â€Å"Oh, you have no idea,† he said. He looked at the dowager. His desperation was gone, replaced by something else – something bitter and fatalistic, something cynical and grim. â€Å"You have no idea what you've done,† he told her. â€Å"No idea at all.† â€Å"I have restored you to your proper place,† she said sharply. â€Å"As is my duty to my son.† Jack turned. He couldn't bring himself to look at her for one moment more. But there was Grace, standing near the doorway. She looked shocked, she looked scared. But when she looked at him, he saw his entire world, falling softly into place. She loved him. He didn't know how or why, but he was not enough of a fool to question it. And when her eyes met his, he saw hope. He saw the future, and it was shining like the sunrise. His entire life, he'd been running. From himself, from his faults. He'd been so desperate that no one should truly know him, that he'd denied himself the chance to find his place in the world. He smiled. He finally knew where he belonged. He had seen Grace when she entered the room, but she'd stood back, and he couldn't go to her, not when he'd been trying so hard to keep the dukedom in Thomas's hands, where it belonged. But it seemed he'd failed in that measure. He would not fail in this. â€Å"Grace,† he said, and went to her, taking both of her hands in his. â€Å"What the devil are you doing?† the dowager demanded. He dropped to one knee. â€Å"Marry me,† he said, squeezing her hands. â€Å"Be my bride, be my – † He laughed, a bubble of absurdity rising from within. â€Å"Be my duchess.† He smiled up at her. â€Å"It's a lot to ask, I know.† â€Å"Stop that,† the dowager hissed. â€Å"You can't marry her.† â€Å"Jack,† Grace whispered. Her lips were trembling, and he knew she was thinking about it. She was teetering. And he could bring her over the edge. â€Å"For once in your life,† he said fervently, â€Å"make yourself happy.† â€Å"Stop this!† Crowland blustered. He grabbed Jack under his arm and tried to haul him to his feet, but Jack would not budge. He would remain on one knee for eternity if that was what it took. â€Å"Marry me, Grace,† he whispered. â€Å"You will marry Amelia!† Crowland cut in. Jack did not take his eyes off Grace's face. â€Å"Marry me.† â€Å"Jack†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she said, and he could hear it in her voice that she thought she should make an excuse, should say something about his duty or her place. â€Å"Marry me,† he said again, before she could go on. â€Å"She is not acceptable,† the dowager said coldly. He brought Grace's hands to his lips. â€Å"I will marry no one else.† â€Å"She is not of your rank!† He turned and gave his grandmother an icy look. He felt rather ducal, actually. It was almost entertaining. â€Å"Do you wish for me to produce an heir? Ever?† The dowager's face pinched up like a fish. â€Å"I shall take that as a yes,† he announced. â€Å"Which means that Grace shall have to marry me.† He shrugged. â€Å"It's the only way, if I am to give Wyndham a legitimate heir.† Grace started to blink, and her mouth – the corners were moving. She was fighting herself, telling herself she should say no. But she loved him. He knew that she did, and he would not allow her to throw that away. â€Å"Grace – † He scowled, then laughed. â€Å"What the devil is your middle name, anyway?† â€Å"Catriona,† she whispered. â€Å"Grace Catriona Eversleigh,† he said, loud and sure, â€Å"I love you. I love you with every inch of my heart, and I swear right now, before all who are assembled†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He looked around, catching sight of the rectory housekeeper, who was standing open-mouthed in the doorway. â€Å"†¦even – devil it,† he muttered, â€Å"what is your name?† â€Å"Mrs. Broadmouse,† she said, eyes wide. Jack cleared his throat. He was beginning to feel like himself. For the first time in days, he felt like himself. Maybe he was stuck with this bloody title, but with Grace at his side, he could find a way to do some good with it. â€Å"I swear to you,† he said, â€Å"before Mrs. Broadmouse – â€Å" â€Å"Stop this!† the dowager yelled, grabbing hold of his other arm. â€Å"Get on your feet!† Jack gazed up at Grace and smiled. â€Å"Was there ever a proposal so beleaguered?† She smiled back, even as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. â€Å"You are supposed to marry Amelia!† Lord Crowland growled. And then there was Amelia†¦poking her head around her father's shoulder. â€Å"I won't have him,† she announced, rather matter-of-fact. She caught Jack's eye and smiled. The dowager gasped. â€Å"You would refuse my grandson?† â€Å"This grandson,† Amelia clarified. Jack tore his eyes off Grace for just long enough to grin approvingly at Amelia. She grinned back, motioning with her head toward Grace, telling him in no uncertain terms to get back to the matter at hand. â€Å"Grace,† Jack said, rubbing her hands softly with his. â€Å"My knee is beginning to hurt.† She started to laugh. â€Å"Say yes, Grace,† Amelia said. â€Å"Listen to Amelia,† Jack said. â€Å"What the devil am I going to do with you?† Lord Crowland said. To Amelia, that was, not that she seemed to care. â€Å"I love you, Grace,† Jack said. She was grinning now. It seemed her whole body was grinning, as if she'd been enveloped in a happiness that would not let go. And then she said it. Right in front of everyone. â€Å"I love you, too.† He felt all the happiness in the world swirling into him, straight to his heart. â€Å"Grace Catriona Eversleigh,† he said again, â€Å"will you marry me?† â€Å"Yes,† she whispered. â€Å"Yes.† He stood. â€Å"I'm going to kiss her now,† he called out. And he did. Right in front of the dowager, in front of Amelia and her father, even in front of Mrs. Broadmouse. He kissed her. And then he kissed her some more. He was kissing her when the dowager departed in an angry huff, and he was kissing her when Lord Crowland dragged Amelia away, muttering something about delicate sensibilities. He kissed her, and he kissed her, and he would have kept kissing her except that he realized that Mrs. Broadmouse was still standing in the doorway, staring at them with a rather benign expression. Jack grinned at her. â€Å"A spot of privacy, if you don't mind?† She sighed and toddled away, but before she shut the door, they heard her say – â€Å"I do like a good love story.† Epilogue My dearest Amelia – Can it only have been three weeks since I last wrote? It feels as if I have gathered at least a year of news. The children continue to thrive. Arthur is so studious! Jack declares himself boggled, but his delight is evident. We visited the Happy Hare earlier this week to discuss plans for the village fair with Harry Gladdish, and Jack complained to no end about how difficult it has been to find a new tutor now that Arthur has exhausted the last. Harry was not fooled. Jack was proud as puff. We were delighted to – â€Å"Mama!† Grace looked up from her correspondence. Her third child (and only daughter) was standing in the doorway, looking much aggrieved. â€Å"What is it, Mary?† she asked. â€Å"John was – â€Å" â€Å"Just strolling by,† John said, sliding along the polished floor until he came to a stop next to Mary. â€Å"John!† Mary howled. John looked at Grace with utter innocence. â€Å"I barely touched her.† Grace fought the urge to close her eyes and groan. John was only ten, but already he possessed his father's lethal charm. â€Å"Mama,† Mary said. â€Å"I was walking to the conservatory when – â€Å" â€Å"What Mary means to say,† John cut in, â€Å"is that I was walking to the orangery when she bumped into me and – â€Å" â€Å"No!† Mary protested. â€Å"That is not what I meant to say.† She turned to her mother in obvious distress. â€Å"Mama!† â€Å"John, let your sister finish,† Grace said, almost automatically. It was a sentence she uttered several times a day. John smiled at her. Meltingly. Good gracious, Grace thought, it would not be long before she'd be beating the girls away with a stick. â€Å"Mother,† he said, in exactly the same tone Jack used when he was trying to charm his way out of a tight spot, â€Å"I would not dream of interrupting her.† â€Å"You just did!† Mary retorted. John held up his hands, as if to say – Poor dear. Grace turned to Mary with what she hoped was visible compassion. â€Å"You were saying, Mary?† â€Å"He smashed an orange into my sheet music!† Grace turned to her son. â€Å"John, is this – â€Å" â€Å"No,† he said quickly. Grace gave him a dubious stare. It did not escape her that she had not finished her question before he answered. She supposed she ought not read too much into it. John, is this true? was another of the sentences she seemed to spend a great deal of time repeating. â€Å"Mother,† he said, his green eyes profoundly solemn, â€Å"upon my honor I swear to you that I did not smash an orange – â€Å" â€Å"You lie,† Mary seethed. â€Å"She crushed the orange.† â€Å"After you put it under my foot!† And then came a new voice: â€Å"Grace!† Grace smiled with delight. Jack could now sort the children out. â€Å"Grace,† he said, turning sideways so that he might slip by them and into the room. â€Å"I need you to – â€Å" â€Å"Jack!† she cut in. He looked at her, and then behind him. â€Å"What did I do?† She motioned to the children. â€Å"Did you not notice them?† He quirked a smile – the very same one his son had tried to use on her a few moments earlier. â€Å"Of course I noticed them,† he said. â€Å"Did you not notice me stepping around them?† He turned to the children. â€Å"Haven't we taught you that it is rude to block the doorway?† It was a good thing she hadn't been to the orangery herself, Grace thought, because she would have peened him with one. As it was, she was beginning to think she ought to keep a store of small, round, easily throwable objects in her desk drawer. â€Å"Jack,† she said, with what she thought was amazing patience, â€Å"would you be so kind as to settle their dispute?† He shrugged. â€Å"They'll work it out.† â€Å"Jack,† she sighed. â€Å"It's not your fault you had no siblings,† he told her. â€Å"You have no experience in intrafamilial squabbles. Trust me, it all works out in the end. I predict we shall manage to get all four to adulthood with at least fifteen of their major limbs intact.† Grace leveled a stare. â€Å"You, on the other hand, are in supreme danger of – â€Å" â€Å"Children!† Jack cut in. â€Å"Listen to your mother.† â€Å"She didn't say anything,† John pointed out. â€Å"Right,† Jack said. He frowned for a moment. â€Å"John, leave your sister alone. Mary, next time don't step on the orange.† â€Å"But – â€Å" â€Å"I'm done here,† he announced. And amazingly, they went on their way. â€Å"That wasn't too difficult,† he said. He stepped into the room. â€Å"I have some papers for you.† Grace immediately set aside her correspondence and took the documents he held forth. â€Å"They arrived this afternoon from my solicitor,† Jack explained. She read the first paragraph. â€Å"About the Ennigsly building in Lincoln?† â€Å"That's what I was expecting,† he confirmed. She nodded and then gave the document a thorough perusal. After a dozen years of marriage, they had fallen into an easy routine. Jack conducted all of his business affairs face-to-face, and when correspondence arrived, Grace was his reader. It was almost amusing. It had taken Jack a year or so to find his footing, but he'd turned into a marvelous steward of the dukedom. His mind was razor sharp, and his judgment was such that Grace could not believe he'd not been trained in land management. The tenants adored him, the servants worshipped him (especially once the dowager was banished to the far side of the estate), and London society had positively fallen at his feet. It had helped, of course, that Thomas made it clear that he believed Jack was the rightful Duke of Wyndham, but still, Grace did not think herself biased to believe that Jack's charm and wit had something to do with it as well. The only thing it seemed he could not do was read. When he first told her, she had not believed him. Oh, she believed that he believed it. But surely he'd had poor teachers. Surely there had been some gross negligence on someone's part. A man of Jack's intelligence and education did not reach adulthood illiterate. And so she'd sat with him. Tried her best. And he put up with it. In retrospect, she couldn't believe that he had not exploded with frustration. It was, perhaps, the oddest imaginable show of love – he'd let her try, again and again, to teach him to read. With a smile on his face, even. But in the end she'd given up. She still did not understand what he meant when he told her the letters â€Å"danced,† but she believed him when he insisted that all he ever got from a printed page was a headache. â€Å"Everything is in order,† she said now, handing the documents back to Jack. He had discussed the matter with her the week prior, after all of the decisions had been made. He always did that. So that she would know precisely what she was looking for. â€Å"Are you writing to Amelia?† he asked. She nodded. â€Å"I can't decide if I should tell her about John's escapade in the church belfry.† â€Å"Oh, do. They shall get a good laugh.† â€Å"But it makes him seem such a ruffian.† â€Å"He is a ruffian.† She felt herself deflate. â€Å"I know. But he's sweet.† Jack chuckled and kissed her, once, on the forehead. â€Å"He's just like me.† â€Å"I know.† â€Å"You needn't sound so despairing.† He smiled then, that unbelievably devilish thing of his. It still got her, every time, just the way he wanted it to. â€Å"Look how nicely I turned out,† he added. â€Å"Just so you understand,† she told him, â€Å"if he takes to robbing coaches, I shall expire on the spot.† Jack laughed at that. â€Å"Give my regards to Amelia.† Grace was about to say I shall, but he was already gone. She picked up her pen and dipped it in ink, pausing briefly so she might recall what she'd been writing. We were delighted to see Thomas on his visit. He made his annual pilgrimage to the dowager, who, I am sad to report, has not grown any less severe in her old age. She is as healthy as can be – it is my suspicion that she shall outlive us all. Grace shook her head. She made the half-mile journey to the dower house but once a month. Jack had said she needn't do even that, but she still felt an odd loyalty toward the dowager. Not to mention a fierce devotion and sympathy for the woman they'd hired to replace her as the dowager's companion. No servant had ever been so well-paid. Already the woman earned (at Grace's insistence) double what she herself had been paid. Plus, they promised her a cottage when the dowager finally expired. The very same one Thomas had given to her so many years earlier. Grace smiled to herself and continued writing, telling Amelia this and that – all those funny little anecdotes mothers loved to share. Mary looked like a squirrel with her front tooth missing. And little Oliver, only eighteen months old, had skipped crawling entirely, going straight from the oddest belly-scoot to full-fledged running. Already they'd lost him twice in the hedgerow maze. I do miss you, dear Amelia. You must promise to visit this summer. You know how marvelous Lincolnshire is when all the flowers are in bloom. And of course – â€Å"Grace?† It was Jack, suddenly back in her doorway. â€Å"I missed you,† he explained. â€Å"In the last five minutes?† He stepped inside, closed the door. â€Å"It doesn't take long.† â€Å"You are incorrigible.† But she set down her pen. â€Å"It does seem to serve me well,† he murmured, stepping around the desk. He took her hand and tugged her gently to her feet. â€Å"And you, too.† Grace fought the urge to groan. Only Jack would say such a thing. Only Jack would – She let out a yelp as his lips – Well, suffice to say, only Jack would do that. Oh. And that. She melted into him. And absolutely that†¦