Bøger af Irfan Ahmad

In recent years, crucial questions have been raised about anthropology as a discipline, such as whether ethnography is central to the subject, and how imagination, reality and truth are joined in anthropological enterprises. These interventions have impacted anthropologists and scholars at large. This volume contributes to the debate about the interrelationships between ethnography and anthropology and takes it to a new plane. Six anthropologists with field experience in Egypt, Greece, India, Laos, Mauritius, Thailand and Switzerland critically discuss these propositions in order to renew anthropology for the future. The volume concludes with an Afterword from Tim Ingold.

Public procurement has emerged in recent years, as a complex function that utilizes a great amount of public fund. Undeniably, public procurement has become a multifaceted system that consists of procurement laws and regulations, procurement processes (from approvals, appropriations, invitation to bid, bidding process, to contract award, and contract administration, etc.), Procurement methods (from open competitive bidding, pre-qualification to alternate methods of procurement etc.), procurement techniques (life-cycle costing, evaluation, negotiations, etc.), procurement organizational structure (procuring agencies, user departments), procurement professionalism (procurement offices and workforce).The public procurement function becomes further intricate when public procurement, becomes a policy tool due to the size of its spending. The policy makers use this tool to address community issues, environment protection (green procurement) and economic development (including local preferences). These policy apprehensions have made procurement practices thornier. Constantly changing global environment has further convoluted public procurement as procurement officers have to comply with international trade agreements along with national procurement legal framework.Consequently, there was a dire need of a textbook on procurement management to enhance the skills of procurement professionals and to update them with the advanced practices in procurement arena. This need, I presume, has been fulfilled to a great extent by publication of the two volumes of "Procurement Management".The second volume of "Procurement Management" covers the practical aspects of procurement practices. A number of chapters elucidate eloquently, varied areas of procurement management, which in consequence, will help to clear the concepts of procurement professionals.The decision of selection of a procurement method is often regarded as the key decision in the procurement planning process and is one of the mandatory requirement in the annual procurement plan.There are many methods which can be adopted and certain circumstances are particularly appropriate to each procurement method for procurement of goods, services and works. The precise selection of procurement method at the beginning of the procurement activity is therefore a significant aspect in the success of the procurement process as incorrect choice of procurement method may have an adverse effect on the bidding process.

The acquisition of goods, works, and services through public fund is called public procurement. Public procurement is obligatory for the successful implementation of public projects. Public procurement encompasses following processes: - Preparation of annual budget after estimation of needs by the procuring agencies, - Preparation of annual procurement plans following budgetary allocation, and- Accomplishment of procurement plans through a procurement process which includes submission of bids, bid opening, evaluation of bids, contract award, and contract management.The main objective of public procurement is the provision of quality and cost effective goods, works and services to the public through public projects.Public procurement begins with the identification of needs and stimuli required for implementing public projects; categorization of these requirements into goods, works, and services; cost estimation; suppliers management; contract award and management; supply and receipt of goods, works, and services; efficient and effective utilization of goods and services procured to achieve desired results; and maintenance and disposal.Gone are the days when public procurement was considered as just the simple task of purchasing of goods, works, and services which was handled by clerks and store keepers. Recent years has seen public procurement as a complex procedure, which includes involvement of multiple stakeholders. Public procurement in our time is conducted and managed by qualified and competent professionals.Governments introduce public projects to improve the standards of living of the public. The main objective of these projects is to convert available resources into timely, cost-effective and quality services. Adhering to public procurement rules and regulations is vital for accountability of public spending and supports good governance. It also helps to improve economic and social development of a country. Efficient public procurement is essential to ensure timely acquisition of goods, works, and services intended for the public.The magnitude of public procurement in every country is accumulating rapidly, resulting from mammoth growth in economic activities across the nations. A boom in information technology has increased the awareness among the public about their rights of access to benefits from public projects; they are now at a vantage point to dare and analyze the outcome of public procurements. They are aware of the fact that poor procurement practices can inhibit them from receiving benefits of these projects.Public pressure on their governments for timely, quality, and cost-efficient delivery of services is increasing consistently. This growing pressure obliges governments to focus more cuttingly on improvements in procurement legal framework and procedures; with emphasis on risk management, accountability, probity mechanisms. The governments are searching for innovative techniques, including e-procurement, public private partnership and green procurement etc.Public procurement reforms are largely dependent on how a government addresses the capacity-building needs of procuring agencies and public officials to successfully conduct a procurement process. The aim of effective application of procurement reforms is to have a significant impact on the economic development of a country's public and private sectors. Nevertheless, in developing countries, minute consideration is paid to capacity building of the procuring agencies and development of the private sector for and through public procurement.

This book brings together multiple aspects of the recent research conducted in the field of nanotechnology covering topics such as the synthesis of various nanoparticles, nanorods, graphene, graphene oxide-metal composites, characterization of these materials, and ample aspects of various applications including in heavy metal sensing, optoelectronic devices, gas sensing, solar cells, biomedical sensors, role in the drug delivery, and waste-water treatment. The book is of interest to early career researchers, who are trying to grasp multiple aspects of nanomaterials and nanocomposite synthesis and its potential applications.

Prosthodontics at a Glance is a title in the popular At A Glance series and focuses on prosthodontics from diagnostics through treatment to post-operative maintenance. It is an ideal companion for all students of dentistry, clinicians and members of the dental team with an interest in prosthodontics.

An accessible, one-stop guide to getting the most out of dental photography in clinical practiceDental photography is an increasingly important part of dental care in general practices, hospitals, and specialist clinics. The uses of dental photographs are numerous, such as monitoring treatment outcomes, educating patients, promoting services, and providing evidence for litigation or regulatory purposes. Essentials of Dental Photography is a user-friendly guide to incorporating dental photographs into daily practice. Containing real-world advice and proven techniques, this book helps clinicians understand and apply the fundamental principles of dental photography.Accessible chapters cover every major aspect of dental photography and answer the most common questions asked by clinicians. Step-by-step instructions show readers how to select the correct photographic and dental equipment, setup equipment for a variety of dental procedures, process images using photo-editing software, and more. The author, a recognised expert in the field, explain the basic concepts of dental photography and how to create high-quality, predictable and repeatable images. Providing an easy-to-follow roadmap to exceptional dental photographs, this practical guide:* Covers all the basic concepts, equipment, and techniques of dental photography* Illustrates the photographic setups for both intra- and extra-oral images* Provides recommendations for appropriate types of cameras, lenses, flashes, reflectors, tripods, and software* Discusses photographic archiving, electronic dissemination, printing, publishing, and presenting imagesEssentials of Dental Photography is a valuable guide for dental practitioners and new graduates looking to learn dental photography and apply it in practice.

Makes the far-reaching argument that potent systems and modes for self-critique as well as critique of others are inherent in Islam - indeed, critique is integral to its fundamental tenets and practices. Challenging common views of Islam as hostile to critical thinking, Ahmad delineates thriving traditions of critique in Islamic culture, focusing in large part on South Asian traditions.

Morus alba is one of the most useful and multipurpose tree species for rural areas of the country and is widely planted in the world for rearing of silkworm. A research study for observing the Propagation and growth behaviour of different sizes of Morus alba cuttings as influenced by covering with plastic sheet was conducted in the experimental area, Department of Forestry, Range Management and Wildlife, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during the year 2005.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is the most influential Islamist organization in India today. Founded in 1941 by Syed Abul Ala Maududi with the aim of spreading Islamic values in the subcontinent, Jamaat and its young offshoot, the Student Islamic Movement of India or SIMI, have been watched closely by Indian security services since September 11. In particular, SIMI has been accused of being behind terrorist bombings. This book is the first in-depth examination of India's Jamaat-e-Islami and SIMI, exploring political Islam's complex relationship with democracy and providing a rare window into the Islamist trajectory in a Muslim-minority context. Irfan Ahmad conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork at a school in the town of Aligarh, among student activists at Aligarh Muslim University, at a madrasa in Azamgarh, and during Jamaat's participation in elections in 2002. He deftly traces Jamaat's changing position in relation to India's secular democracy and the group's gradual ideological shift toward religious pluralism and tolerance. Ahmad demonstrates how the rise of militant Hindu nationalism since the 1980s--evident in the destruction of the Babri mosque and widespread violence against Muslims--led to SIMI's radicalization, its rejection of pluralism, and its call for jihad. Islamism and Democracy in India argues that when secular democracy is responsive to the traditions and aspirations of its Muslim citizens, Muslims in turn embrace pluralism and democracy. But when democracy becomes majoritarian and exclusionary, Muslims turn radical.

Aesthetic dentistry has become increasingly important to dentists and their patients. This book is designed as a springboard to assist clinicians in developing the aesthetic potential of restorative procedures. The book marries evidence-based principles with handy hints and tips the author has distilled from years of clinical experience.