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A family of Pakistani Hindus from Sindh wants only one thing from the Delhi government: that their teenaged children be allowed to attend school despite being overage. Will anyone listen?
Dotted with small temples, Sanjay Colony in Bhatti Mines area is much like the other unauthorised villages in Delhi. Its inner lanes are unpaved, animals are everywhere – stray dogs and monkeys. The latter venture into homes like thieves, stealing bread and milk packets from inside unsuspecting residents' refrigerators.
One of the more recent occupiers of a home here is Ravi Kumar and his family. Ravi is a 17-year-old who looks just like any other teenager, listening to music through his earphones, walking nonchalantly. But he is different from the many boys his age in the city, as he hails from Pakistan's Sindh. He along with his parents and four sisters reached India in May this year.
They fled their home country from the fear of persecution, as they are from the minority community there: Hindus.
As he leads us to his new home, about a 10-minute walk from the main road, Ravi talks about the place he once called home. "I miss it, of course. In the beginning the sadness was much more but now I'm more used to it. I don't speak to my friends that often because it just makes me feel worse".
In the capital of India, he has made some friends at school, but not close enough to spend time with. Now as he and his two sisters have been removed from the Bhatti Mines' Government Senior Secondary School – which they had been attending for the past two months — all he does is sit at home or lie on his cot, trying to pass time.
Ravi, his sisters Sanjina Bai (16) and Moona Kumari (18) had been studying in Grade 9 for just two months before they were removed. This is because they have gone above the upper age limit set for various classes – through a circular in 2016 by the Directorate of Education — in the Delhi government school.
This case has reached the Delhi High Court. A writ petition deems this move by the authorities as "unconstitutional, arbitrary, discriminatory, violative of fundamental right to education as guaranteed…under Articles 14, 15, 21, 21-A, 38 and 41 of the Constitution of India read with the Delhi School Education Act, 1973 and the provisions of Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009".
We meet the other members of the family in the two-room home, with a courtyard acting as their makeshift third room.
Gulsher, the siblings' father, says he doesn't want anything from the Indian government but that they reinstate the children in school. "We have been humiliated", he says, "In Sindh Pakistan, the situation is very bad. No one knows how it is for the Hindus over there. No one would leave (their home) happily, right? They would leave because there's some problem."
And despite their struggles he says, the government "can't even do this much".
In Sindh, Gulsher worked as a truck driver and earned enough to get his children educated. Here he does not have a job and depends on his two elder sons to send them money.
"It isn't like we haven't given our children education. The two elder ones work in an offshore oil drill, they live well. I need to get the rest of my children full education as well. How can I not?"
The three of his children started attending classes here on July 8 but were removed on September 19. "We bought them all the books, clothes, shoes, spent all that money for them. And then two months later the school said they cannot continue their studies".
Even before they were debarred, the family knew this day was inevitable. "We had already been warned, so we went from pillar to post to get some relief. They sent us from one office to the other. Sometimes we couldn't even eat food, we would just run around but no one helped us. Time kept passing and then finally the administration said now they are overage and cannot continue. We are not disagreeing that their age is over. We had trouble for the past two years to get here."
They are not the first case from Bhatti Mines to need special consideration. In 2016 the same school had denied another Pakistani citizen admission on grounds of not having proper documentation.
Another case from May this year, saw nine children belonging from two Pakistani Hindu families hailing from Sindh, denied admission in the Bhatti Mines school.
First step in a long journey
Gulsher and his family had first tried to settle here in India in the year 2016. But as luck had it, just 25 days after they had reached, Gulsher's mother fell ill and they had to return to Pakistan.
She passed away two months later but since then they have been unable to secure visas.
There have been several incidents which have soured relations over recent years between India and Pakistan. And around the time Gulsher found it hard to come back, he says the Pathankot attacks was the reason.
In January 2, 2016 a terror attack at the Pathankot Air Force base had shaken ties between the neighbouring countries, which have only become worse now. The then external affairs minister (late) Sushma Swaraj had in August that year declared that India had ruled out any dialogue with Pakistan until it had "taken steps on the Pathankot terror attack".
Gulsher says they kept trying and on the third attempt they got the visa again to come back to Delhi.
His daughters tell us how important it is for them to complete their education. They have big plans. Moona is more vocal, Sanjina a little shy, but when asked about what she wants to do when she grows up her face becomes more confident as she mimics her sister's intentions – to join the Indian civil services.
Unlike in their home back in Pakistan, the sisters enjoy some amount of freedom here. They had made friends in their new school before being removed.
But if they missed their friends like their brother Ravi did, they don't have much to say. The reason being, their parents say is, "The girls had friends in classes but they wouldn't go out or spend time together outside the classroom. They were Muslim girls. It isn't like how it is here."
The girls would never go out unaccompanied by a male chaperone. Even his daughters would go to school and return accompanied by their brother. "Now my girls can step outside their home".
Ravi later told us that there had been many incidences of girls being kidnapped and forcefully married in neighbouring areas. This was one of the main reasons that they decided to leave.
In Rajya Sabha this year, the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, had said that the government, "from time to time, has come across reports of problems faced by members of the minority communities in Pakistan, including those of intimidation, abduction, persecution, forced conversions and forced marriages."
While the Kumars didn't point to a particular incident of any such discrimination or violent behaviour, Gulsher says that the situation there was such that "If they want to fight, they just come after us". There was, he said, no one to listen to their problems: "Hindus don't have the law on their side (in Pakistan). Where will the poor man go? Here (in Delhi) a poor person and a rich person both have rights. Here it isn't like that (like in Sindh)."
They kept hearing about incidents against Hindus taking place and Gulsher says they then decided to finally leave. "If one keeps hearing that the water is rising, that person will not wait for the flood to sweep through, right? They will move out before it gets them as well".
And it has been rapidly changing, he says. "We have Muslims friends, there are good people and there are bad. But the atmosphere is changing."
Moving across borders
The family is not alone. Since the 1970s, Bhatti Mines has been a refuge for migrants from Pakistan.
According to the Habitat International Coalition — Housing and Land Rights Network (HIC-HLRN), the area, spread out over 145 acres, was created for refugees from Pakistan by late Sanjay Gandhi in 1976. It had grown into a full-fledged village with state support until 1990.
It has also been embroiled in struggle to retain its place as it occupies space in Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. But it still is one of the major areas in Delhi where people from Pakistan find a home – others include areas in North Delhi: Majnu ka Tilla and Adarsh Nagar.
"There are many families who have been living here for years. Every few months, at least 3-4 families come to Bhatti mines from Pakistan." While many keep coming, there are also those who leave, finding no means of earning a livelihood and no family to fall back on.
"This home we are living in has been given to us by our extended family who now live in Delhi", Gulsher says, admitting not everyone is this lucky. "Only those stay that get some help. Else they try and go to Rajasthan or Lucknow, where they have relatives".
But two families were not so lucky and left for Pakistan recently. Gulsher tells us, "Some have children who send money. Some have money and can come here and start some business. Some have neither. They don't have any means to make an income. What will they do for food? Where would they stay? They leave everything behind and come here. But after a few months they can't take it any more and leave".
In Delhi, there may be struggles, but he finds comfort in the fact that there are people like him around. For the first time, his family spent Dussehra in India. "We performed all the rituals, had a few children come over as well".
In this area, there are many Rajputs like him, he tells us proudly, "This area has at least 20 homes of Rajput Pakistanis." Clearly the Hindu caste system hasn't lost any place in their social structure. "No one taunts us, because mostly everyone is from there and we are all mostly related", talking about the area he lives in, the Bhatti Mines.
While we walked in from the main road though, it was quite apparent that not all were Pakistanis. Even the mention of the word resulted in some loud reactions from some men, which although unclear, did not sound positive towards the long-time foe.
Ravi merely says, "People here tend to get agitated."
Where they come from
The three siblings are missing out on classes and education just as they did after leaving India in 2016. They don't know when their case will be resolved and can only hope that the government helps. The father at least has hope in the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"The Modi government has done a very good job. He has given us visa, allowed us (Pakistanis) to get Aadhaar cards when required. "No matter how much I praise him, it will be less. Getting a visa was tough before he came. We had tried before in 2014 and 2015 but couldn't secure it."
This, while the first term of this government began in 2014, and he himself has not been able to get himself an Aadhaar card nor a licence.
He just wishes that the government remembers his forefathers and their "sacrifices". "We were part of this country, the Rajputs sacrificed their lives for this country. First India and Pakistan were one. Unluckily, we went to that side", Gulsher explains, making sense of his own place in this country where he's deemed a foreigner.
He was about two years old when the Partition took place. "We stayed in Sindh. Some went there, some came here. They (officials) must think if it were the other way around, how would they feel if their children wouldn't get admission in school?" he asks and goes on to say, "We are not intruders, the government has given us visas".
The family has entered India with visas which will last them for two years after which they will reapply until they are eligible for naturalised citizenship.
One report by Al-Jazeera cites the number of Pakistani Hindus which have been granted visas between 2011 and 2018 as 36,000.
A New York Times report shares data by the Ministry of External Affairs which says that 95% of long-term visas are given to Pakistani Hindus. In 2018, the Indian government granted 12,732 long-term visas, compared with 4,712 in 2017, and 2,298 in 2016.
This sharp rise goes in tandem with PM Modi's promise to Hindu minority citizens of Pakistan, which also makes him a big hit among them.
His BJP-led government also plans to introduce the Citizenship Amendment Bill. This is to reportedly make it easier for especially Hindu refugees to get citizenship in the country along with, as Home Minister Amit Shah pointed out in October 1, to all "Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Christian refugees".
But citizenship isn't a point of concern yet. What Gulsher and his family hope is that the government allows the three children their right to education and not compromise their future. As Ravi walks us back to the main road from where we can access public transport, he tells us his friends, majority Muslims, keep telling him to come back. "They say: Come, we will not let anything happen to you. Tell us if someone troubles you, we will take care of it".
What he wants now, though, that his sisters with their dreams of becoming officers quit "sitting at home and cooking" and to get education – which the Capital city promises all its citizens each day.


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Asian authors have penned countless captivating fantasy tales, introducing fresh perspectives, inspirations, and voices to the genre. Some of their stories feature shadowy assassins, fierce princesses, and determined warriors. Others shine the spotlight on dragons, shape-shifters, or other mythical beings.
But at the end of the day, if you're searching for fantasy books written by Asian authors, this list is for you!
Here are 15 absolutely amazing fantasy books by Asian authors to read:
- The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
- The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
- The Girl King by Mini Lu
- The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
- Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh
- The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
- The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas
- The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow by Fuyumi Ono
- The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
- Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn
- The Young Elites by Marie Lu
- The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu
- Huntress by Malinda Lo
- Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa
- Talon by Julie Kagawa
I've included book descriptions, readers' ratings and summaries of positive and negative comments for each book below. For a quick comparison, here's a handy chart.
The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
Two men rebel together against tyranny — and then become rivals — in this first sweeping book of an epic fantasy series from Ken Liu, recipient of Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards.
Wily, charming Kuni Garu, a bandit, and stern, fearless Mata Zyndu, the son of a deposed duke, seem like polar opposites. Yet, in the uprising against the emperor, the two quickly become the best of friends after a series of adventures fighting against vast conscripted armies, silk-draped airships, and shapeshifting gods.
Once the emperor has been overthrown, however, they each find themselves the leader of separate factions — two sides with very different ideas about how the world should be run and the meaning of justice.
Fans of intrigue, intimate plots, and action will find a new series to embrace in the Dandelion Dynasty.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.73
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
First on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is The Grace of Kings. This East Asian-inspired epic novel dazzled fans with its rich world, grandeur and character cast.
Several praised the book for its non-European influence, which stood out to them as refreshing and different in the fantasy genre. Inspired by legends and mythology, The Grace of Kings blended its world with steampunk technology, action and historicism. Many fans described it as complex, philosophical and just plain epic.
In addition to that, these readers were delighted by the character cast. Bristling with warriors, politicians, family members and more, each one came across to fans as adding new depth, dimension and impact to the story. Fans describe themselves as feeling a wide range of emotions for the cast, whether that be anger, affection or anything in between.
All in all, these readers loved following these characters and eagerly turned the pages to find out what would happen to them.
Negative Comments
No book is without its critics, including The Grace of Kings. If readers didn't enjoy it, what did they say?
Overall, critics pointed to a lack of character connection for their main reason for disliking the book. For some, there were so many characters that they could neither keep up nor bond with them. Regardless of what happened in to the characters, they felt apathetic, whether that was during their triumphs, losses or deaths.
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city.
By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them — the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle.
Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.
Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend — a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike.
And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for again.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 4.04
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
Second on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is The Immortal Rules. Readers who enjoyed this novel said that they enjoyed this new, dystopian spin on vampires and a post-apocalyptic world.
While technically The Immortal Rules is a Young Adult Fantasy novel, its tone leans toward adult Fantasy with a teenage protagonist. Along those lines, Kagawa commits to portraying vampires as predators and her world as brutal. She doesn't spare Allie from pain and loss, but neither does she make Allison's struggle to adapt self-pitying or melodramatic.
Readers also mentioned that there were great action scenes throughout the story. Kanin, Allison's ancient vampire mentor, also intrigued them in every scene he was part of.
Negative Comments
Readers who didn't rate The Immortal Rules highly mentioned that the story starts off fast-paced, but slows down in the middle before picking up speed again.
On the other hand, other readers said that they didn't find the romantic sub-plot – a light presence in the story – particularly compelling.
The Girl King by Mini Lu
Two sisters become unwitting rivals in a war to claim the title of Emperor in this sweeping tale of ambition, sacrifice and betrayal for readers of Sabaa Tahir and Alwyn Hamilton.
All hail the Girl King.
Sisters Lu and Min have always understood their places as princesses of the Empire. Lu knows she is destined to become the dynasty's first female ruler, while Min is resigned to a life in her shadow.
Then their father declares their male cousin Set the heir instead — a betrayal that sends the sisters down two very different paths.
Determined to reclaim her birthright, Lu goes on the run. She needs an ally — and an army — if she is to succeed. Her quest leads her to Nokhai, the last surviving wolf shapeshifter. Nok wants to keep his identity secret, but finds himself forced into an uneasy alliance with the girl whose family killed everyone he ever loved…
Alone in the volatile court, Min's hidden power awakens — a forbidden, deadly magic that could secure Set's reign…or allow Min to claim the throne herself.
But there can only be one Emperor, and the sisters' greatest enemy could turn out to be each other.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.60
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Third on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is The Girl King. This story's fans greatly appreciated its Asian-inspired setting, but also said that they also found novel's plot captivating. Full of twists and turns, it kept them racing through its pages.
Negative Comments
What did critics say? In general, those who didn't rate The Girl King highly said that apart from the Asian-inspired setting, the novel wasn't much different from other Young Adult Fantasy stories. In particular, the main characters came across as standard to them.
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
In an empire controlled by bone shard magic, Lin, the former heir to the emperor will fight to reclaim her magic and her place on the throne. The Bone Shard Daughter marks the debut of a major new voice in epic fantasy.
The emperor's reign has lasted for decades, his mastery of bone shard magic powering the animal-like constructs that maintain law and order. But now his rule is failing, and revolution is sweeping across the Empire's many islands.
Lin is the emperor's daughter and spends her days trapped in a palace of locked doors and dark secrets. When her father refuses to recognise her as heir to the throne, she vows to prove her worth by mastering the forbidden art of bone shard magic.
Yet such power carries a great cost, and when the revolution reaches the gates of the palace, Lin must decide how far she is willing to go to claim her birthright – and save her people.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 4.31
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
Fourth on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is The Bone Shard Daughter. Fans praised this novel for its refreshing and intriguing mix of story elements, as well as its likeable characters.
These readers said that the story featured multiple points of view, each of which had a captivating character. While the book was full of plot twists and emotions, the characters kept them glued to The Bone Shard Daughter's pages. Each had their own distinct personality, moving struggles and authentic relationships. Fans were eager to stay with them through their triumphs and struggles, wanting to find out what would happen.
Negative Comments
What did critics of The Bone Shard Daughter say?
In general, these readers didn't feel an emotional investment in the characters. Some of them said this was because of the multiple points of view. Since there were several, these readers didn't feel they had enough time to get to know the cast.
Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh
The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she'd been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.
So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko's convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who've been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.
The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back.
Once she's within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she's appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love — a love that will force her to question everything she's ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.90
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Fifth on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is Flame in the Mist. Inspired by Mulan, this novel delighted fans with its immersive atmosphere and likable protagonist, Mariko.
Many readers described the book's world and scenery as lushly realized. Not only did they find themselves quickly absorbed into the story, but they also mentioned that its Japanese cultural elements were rich and well-researched.
As for Mariko, fans praised her as a brave, intelligent heroine with a moving character arc. Seeing her discover her abilities and what she learns – particularly around finding strength in her femininity – gripped them.
Negative Comments
What did critics say? Overall, critics had to comments about Flame in the Mist.
First, they said that the story's pace was slow. The second was that Mariko didn't strike them as an authentically 'strong female character'. Instead, they thought she either acted spoiled or mouthy without facing consequences.
The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
A broken bond. A dying land. A cat-and-mouse game that can only end in bloodshed.
Esha is a legend, but no one knows. It's only in the shadows that she moonlights as the Viper, the rebels' highly skilled assassin. She's devoted her life to avenging what she lost in the royal coup, and now she's been tasked with her most important mission to date: taking down the ruthless General Hotha.
Kunal has been a soldier since childhood, training morning and night to uphold the power of King Vardaan. His uncle, the general, has ensured that Kunal never strays from the path — even as a part of Kunal longs to join the outside world, which has been growing only more volatile.
Then Esha's and Kunal's paths cross — and an unimaginable chain of events unfolds. Both the Viper and the soldier think they're calling the shots, but they're not the only players moving the pieces.
As the bonds that hold their land in order break down and the sins of the past meet the promise of a new future, both rebel and soldier must make unforgivable choices.
Drawing inspiration from ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology, the first book in Swati Teerdhala's debut fantasy trilogy captivates with electric romance, stunning action, and the fierce bonds that hold people together — and drive them apart.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.73
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Another story on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is The Tiger at Midnight. What did fans love about this novel? Overall, they described it as an adrenaline-infused story that captivated them through its cat-and-mouse plot and exquisite romance.
Readers loved that the book's pages flew by at a breathless pace. As the characters fought to outdo each other, The Tiger at Midnight took twists and turns that enthralled them.
In addition, fans said that the romantic suspense between Esha and Kunal felt electric. As a welcome bonus, the two protagonists learned and grew through knowing one another. Their relationship forced them to challenge their beliefs, make difficult decisions, and become better people. Seeing this dynamic delighted fans.
Negative Comments
What did critics say about The Tiger at Midnight?
For the most part, these readers had two criticisms. The first was that they thought that the characters, described in the book description as fearsome and tough, didn't live up to their reputations. Ultimately, these critics came in expecting a grittier and darker story and came away disappointed.
The second was that the story wasn't as tense as they expected to be. As an explanation, some described the story as one that didn't build, event after event, to a climactic point. They instead thought that the plot started to feel repetitive.
The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas
It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.
Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation — or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm.
It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.
Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane.
But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission — and her life.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.91
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
The Burning Sky is another story on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors. Readers said that this fantasy novel takes a variety of beloved Young Adult fantasy tropes and blends them together for an entirely unique and exciting experience.
The story world features elemental powers, mythological creatures and elite boarding school drama.
As for the romance, The Burning Sky pairs the powerful mage protagonist, Iolanthe, with the agenda-driven Prince Titus. Readers frequently remarked that Iolanthe delighted them with her backbone, but also through her cleverness and back-and-forth banter with Titus. She adapts well to her difficult circumstances and refuses to self-pity.
In the past, YA fantasy readers have voiced their frustrations with protagonists who let their romantic feelings cloud their judgement – especially when something as serious as the fate of a kingdom is at stake.
Because of this, readers often made a point of saying that both Iolanthe and Titus didn't follow this pattern. While their attraction grew, they didn't let it derail them from their greater missions.
Negative Comments
What did readers who didn't enjoy The Burning Sky say?
Generally, readers expressed similar sentiments: they disliked both Iolanthe and Titus as characters. Because of this, they couldn't get invested in their romance.
Why was this? Well, critics of The Burning Sky characterized Iolanthe as a Mary Sue: a character so perfect at all she does and in her attributes that it's unbelievable.
These readers said that Iolanthe's 'Chosen One' status defined her. She was strong in the sense of being highly competent. However, she didn't have dreams, hopes or fears of her own that were unrelated to her foretold destiny.
As for Titus, critics said that ultimately, he bothered them as a romantic prospect. He's set up as a good person who only feigns a spoiled and manipulative persona.
However, these readers said that after a while, this didn't seem like a mask. Instead, it seemed like his true face. As such, they thought that the story used the characters' physical attraction to each other to avoid addressing important relational issues.
The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow by Fuyumi Ono
For high-schooler Yoko Nakajima, life has been fairly ordinary – that is until Keiki, a young man with golden hair, tells Yoko they must return to their kingdom.
Once confronted by this mysterious being and whisked away to an unearthly realm, Yoko is left with only a magical sword; a gem; and a million questions about her destiny, the world she's trapped in, and the world she desperately wants to return to.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 4.20
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow is next on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors. This fantasy novel stunned readers with its impressive portrayal of its protagonist's growth.
Over the course of the story, Yoko changes from vulnerable and dependent to a brave, confident hero. Readers described this as both convincing and inspiring.
Negative Comments
Not everyone thought that The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow was for them, though. These readers typically said that while Yoko grew by the end of the book, her weak character lasted too long. As a protagonist, she grated on them.
Others said that the story itself became repetitive. Yoko goes through many battles, but readers suggested that they seemed too frequent and similar. As a result, instead of grabbing readers, they slowed the book down.
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.
But she could never have guessed the truth – that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.90
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
Another story on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is The Iron King. This fantasy novel delighted fans with its adrenaline-packed adventure plot, imaginative world and relatable protagonist, Meghan.
Meghan, these readers said, came across to them as extremely relatable. While she began the story uncertain and insecure, she grew into a brave character. Seeing her overcome her fears in order to save her brother made these readers cheer for and admire her.
Aside from that, fans commented on The Iron King's intriguing world. Jam-packed with magical creatures and enchanting new places, this novel transported readers into its pages. Many said that this, paired with exciting action, kept them eager to know what would happen next.
Negative Comments
What did critics say about The Iron King?
Overall, if critics didn't enjoy this novel, they cited Meghan as the reason. Several described her as either a passive protagonist or a 'damsel in distress'. For instance, the two main supporting characters, both of whom were men, frequently had to rescue her.
This frustrated critics, who thought too much of the book's plot relied on this setup.
Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn
Zoe Ardelay receives astonishing and unwelcome news: she has been chosen to become the king's fifth wife. Forced to go to the royal city, she manages to slip away and hide on the shores of the mighty river.
It's there that Zoe realizes she is a coru prime ruled by the elemental sign of water. She must return to the palace, not as an unwilling bride for the king, but a woman with power in her own right.
But as Zoe unlocks more of the mysteries of her blood and the secrets of the royal family she must decide how to use her great power to rise above the deceptions and intrigue of the royal court.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 4.01
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Next on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is Troubled Waters. This novel enchanted readers primarily through Zoe, it's protagonist, and the authentic romance between her and her love interest.
Fans described Zoe as a refreshing heroine, one that starts off in a vulnerable state but grows into a strong and self-possessed individual. Her journey moved these readers, who found her relatable and appreciated that she wasn't the hyper-competent protagonist type.
In addition, others said that Troubled Water's romance caught their attention. They contrasted it with romances in other fantasy books, which they said tended to say relied on 'love at first sight' with little substance behind it. Not so with this novel, which fans praised as having two strong characters who have gain trust and mutual respect for each other. These readers praised it as heartwarming.
Negative Comments
What did critics say about Troubled Waters? Well, they tended to focus on either Zoe as a protagonist or the story's means of characterizing its cast.
For the former, these readers described Zoe as overly favored by the story. For example, some of them said she adapted too easily to the changes around her while others said she'd make frustrating decisions but face no consequences for it. As a result, these readers found her unlikeable.
In terms of the latter, critics said that the book tended to characterize its cast by astrology descriptions rather than showing those traits in action.
On the other hand, other readers didn't mind being told about a character's traits, but didn't like how frequently those traits were attributed to the character's astrological sign. This group of readers started to feel that the astrological signs dominated characters instead of informing about them.
The Young Elites by Marie Lu
I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever.
A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina's black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was.
Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family's good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever's survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars — they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.
Teren Santoro works for the king.
As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it's Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.
Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society.
This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they've never seen.
Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle.
But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn't belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.
It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.87
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Next up on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is The Young Elites. Fans praised the novel for giving them Adelina, this story's teen protagonist. She may battle a sense of worthlessness, but she's ultimately a determined, ambitious and formidable character.
In addition, others mentioned that they liked the fascinating cast and appreciated that the romantic sub-plot was kept light.
Negative Comments
As for critics, those who didn't rate The Young Elites highly said that they found it difficult to connect to Adelina.
They mentioned that the 'dark' aspect of her character came across to them as meanness rather than moral weaknesses or complexity. As such, it was hard for them to get invested in her story.
Other said that while they found the story's premise interesting, they found it difficult to get emotionally invested in it.
The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu
Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish: to be remembered forever. But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little hope she'll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be. She is a young woman in eighteenth-century Europe, and that means composing is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age — her tyrannical father has made that much clear.
As Nannerl's hope grows dimmer with each passing year, the talents of her beloved younger brother, Wolfgang, only seem to shine brighter. His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger from a magical land appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true — but his help may cost her everything.
In her first work of historical fiction, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu spins a lush, lyrically told story of music, magic, and the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.73
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Another story on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is The Kingdom of Back.
This novel blends Fantasy and Historical fiction, something that delighted fans. Many described it as a beautiful melding of both genres, one that was unique and full of atmosphere, both magical and historical. Fans were easily absorbed into The Kingdom of Back's world.
Along with that, they also connected deeply with Nannerl. Fans described her as immensely easy to empathize with: fighting for recognition in a world set again her, she struck them as very human.
Moreover, they often said that her mixture of love and rivalry with Wolfgang was sweet and heartwarming.
Negative Comments
If readers didn't enjoy The Kingdom of Back, what did they say? In general, critics had two reasons.
The first had to do with the story's genre. Those who preferred it be more Historical were bothered by the Fantasy elements, while whose who preferred the Fantasy genre thought it wasn't fantastical enough.
Apart from that, some described the plot as episodic rather than growing organically. Critics thought that this made it seem like the story was more a series of events rather than building in a clear direction.
Huntress by Malinda Lo
Nature is out of balance in the human world. The sun hasn't shone in years, and crops are failing. Worse yet, strange and hostile creatures have begun to appear. The people's survival hangs in the balance.
To solve the crisis, the oracle stones are cast, and Kaede and Taisin, two seventeen-year-old girls, are picked to go on a dangerous and unheard-of journey to Tanlili, the city of the Fairy Queen. Taisin is a sage, thrumming with magic, and Kaede is of the earth, without a speck of the otherworldly.
And yet the two girls' destinies are drawn together during the mission. As members of their party succumb to unearthly attacks and fairy tricks, the two come to rely on each other and even begin to fall in love. But the Kingdom needs only one huntress to save it, and what it takes could tear Kaede and Taisin apart forever.
The exciting adventure prequel to Malinda Lo's highly acclaimed novel Ash is overflowing with lush Chinese influences and details inspired by the I Ching, and is filled with action and romance.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.80
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
What did fans of the next story on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors, Huntress, have to say? Describing this story as a heart-pounding adventure lead by two LGBTQ protagonists, these readers prasied it for having plenty of action.
Both Kaede and Taisin came across as well-fleshed out and strong in their own ways, and the lack of stigma in Huntress' world about their romance delighted fans. through their attraction toward each other is a forbidden love story, what keeps them apart revolves around social class and circumstance. Banter-filled and sweet, their relationship made these readers smile.
Negative Comments
If readers didn't enjoy Huntress, what did they say? For the most part, critics had two reasons for disliking the novels. The first was that Kaede and Taisin's romance struck them as an artificial, love-at-first-sight relationship. The second was that the story's point of view confused them, since it switched from character to character within the same scene.
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa
One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish — and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos.
Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn.
Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground, her adoptive family is brutally slain and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple's greatest treasure — one part of the ancient scroll.
There are many who would claim the dragon's wish for their own. Kage Tatsumi, a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan, is one such hunter, under orders to retrieve the scroll…at any cost.
Fate brings Kage and Yumeko together. With a promise to lead him to the scroll, an uneasy alliance is formed, offering Yumeko her best hope for survival. But he seeks what she has hidden away, and her deception could ultimately tear them both apart.
With an army of demons at her heels and the unlikeliest of allies at her side, Yumeko's secrets are more than a matter of life or death. They are the key to the fate of the world itself.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 4.00
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Another story on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is Shadow of the Fox. What about this novel enchanted readers? Overall, it was the mixture of a fascinating world and great character cast.
Fans enthused over the enigmatic creatures, beautiful forests, cities and more that this book's pages introduced to them. With vivid imagery and intricate world-building, this Japanese-inspired setting captured readers' imaginations. Many said they were completely transported into Shadow of the Fox's settings.
Others also mentioned how much they enjoyed the characters. They described them as likable, interesting and overall great protagonists to lead this fast-paced story.
Negative Comments
No book is without its critics, not even Shadow of the Fox. If readers didn't enjoy this novel, what did they point to as reasons?
In general, they tended to say the story was predictable. Some of them said this was because the main characters came across as recognizable types (aloof warrior and naïve girl), while others said they thought the romance and quest developed and ended exactly as they expected.
Talon by Julie Kagawa
The Dragons of Talon:
Once hunted nearly to extinction, they are now poised to take over the world.
The Order of St. George:
The legendary dragonslayers will stop at nothing to wipe dragons from the face of the earth.
These mortal enemies are locked in secret and deadly combat, with humanity none the wiser.
To take her rightful place in the Talon organization, young dragon Ember Hill must prove she can hide her true nature and blend in with humans.
Her delight at the prospect of a summer of "normal" teen experiences is short-lived, however, once she discovers that she's also expected to train for her destined career in Talon. But a chance meeting with a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught.
As Ember struggles to accept her future, St. George soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian is tasked with hunting her down.
But when faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything the Order has ingrained in him – and what he might be willing to give up to uncover the truth about dragons.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.75
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Last on our list of fantasy books by Asian authors is Talon by Julie Kagawa. Packed with action and adventure, this novel delighted readers with its combination of excitement, dragons and romance.
The characters themselves also captivated these readers, who often said that there wasn't a single character they didn't like. Even Ember, who some readers said initially came across as immature, won them over.
Furthermore, they said that experiencing the story from all three main character's point of views was a wonderful treat.
Negative Comments
If readers didn't enjoy Talon, what did they say?
Critics commonly cited Ember herself as well as the story's familiarity as the culprits. For instance, they said that Ember didn't come across as a person yearning for freedom for sympathetic reasons. Instead, she came across to them as childish and self-centered.
Ember speaks contemptuously of Talon and its members, who thwart her from doing what she wants. However, these readers pointed out that what Ember rails against are minor inconveniences. Either that or the logical actions of people who take keeping her alive seriously.
Other readers said that they wished the story would deviate more from standard YA fantasy. The story promises dragons and dragon slayers. It delivers. However, readers said that the story's execution of these concepts was too predictable for their taste.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Document Type : Review Article
- Usman Bello 1
- Chinedu M. Agu 2
- Dahiru A. Ajiya 1
- Auwal Adamu Mahmoud 1
- Livingstone Udopia 3
- Nuruddeen Muhammad Lawal 1
- Aisha Abdullahi Abubakar 1
- Musa Muhammad 1
1 Department of Chemistry, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
3 Department of Chemistry, Otto Von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Germany
The spike in the spontaneous discharge of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere and oil spills on land are placing the environment and natural systems under threat. These two contemporary challenges are heightened by the excessive exploitation of fossil fuels, coiled with rising energy demand pooled by population growth, and industrialization. Therefore, the quest for clean, low-cost, and sustainable energy is environmentally and economically driven. Energy from biomass especially biodiesel is poised to take a lead as an alternative to conventional diesel due to its renewability, non-toxicity, and less potent to GHG emissions. Hence, this paper put together the merits and demerits of the various renewable sources of energy, alongside the biodiesel production processes and output of some countries for the year 2020, which fell short of reporting. The first segment of this paper highlights the potential of biodiesel and its advantages over other renewable energies. The production output and various parametric effects were subsequently discussed for optimum biodiesel production. Then, the economic feasibilities and environmental benefits of biodiesel were emphasized among other attractive attributes of the fuel and enumerate gaps for future exploration.
Graphical Abstract
Main Subjects
- Introduction
The exhaustion of petroleum reserves and rising environmental emissions coupled with growing energy demand due to the population hike, constitute some of the global challenges today. The demand for fuel inevitably becomes larger soon considering the symmetrical increase in world population. Hence, finding alternative sources of fuel which are proficient to satisfy the growing energy demand remained a subject of interest among countries worldwide [1]. This is in a bid to reduce over-dependence on imported oil, diversify energy portfolios, derive to safeguard the environment by reducing carbon emissions footprint, and derive revenue influx from the biodiesel industry [2], though it is an undisputed fact that the exploitation and production of fossil fuels contributed immensely to the economic growth and drove the development of many countries. However, on the other hand, is considered as a curse especially now that the adverse effects of environmental emissions are resonating unpleasantly, leaving legacies such as flared gases, spills on land due to oil and gas exploration, and increasing heatwaves across the globe [3]. These GHG emissions are presently threatening the well-being of today and tomorrow's generations. Therefore, pollution abatement and mitigation of anthropogenic GHG emissions through green remediation technologies are vehemently needed to counter the effects of global warming and climate change. In this context, the current global thrive towards low carbon emission sources, signaled that the bulk of future energy must be derived from clean and renewable sources [4].
The uncertainty in prices of fossil-based fuels particularly crude oil in the international oil market, is another issue of steam concern among oil-producing countries, thereby making crude oil unstable and unpredictable [5]. Although the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) influences the price of the commodity by regulating the production output and supply chain, this sometimes brought about a monopoly leading to rising economic and political conflicts among member countries [6]. Over-dependence on crude oil may be responsible for unrest among regions or member states, particularly among those ones relied heavily on it as a major revenue generator like Nigeria. This is because when the supply chain is broken, the market breadth is closed, and thus socio-economic welfare of the populace in the affected regions or countries is in jeopardy [7]. It is, therefore, obvious that the lack of sustainability of fossil fuels, paves the way for the need for renewables, as an alternative energy resource that is proficient to satisfy the ever-growing energy demand of today without compromising that of tomorrow. Thus, the paradigm shift from fossil fuel to renewables is a way to go (Figure 1), this would assist to limit the extreme weather and climate impacts posed by GHG emissions, while simultaneously ensuring clean and sustainable energy. In this context, biodiesel is considered a plausible and better candidate considering its renewability, sustainability, and low emission profile, which made it a cleaner-burning fuel with reduced emissions of CO2 [8]. While other renewable energies such as solar, hydro, the wind are mainly utilized to power the electric grid, energy from biomass particularly biodiesel will in addition to provide electricity, will also support to quench the thirst for bulk liquid fuel demand by the transport sector, at the same time minimizing CO2 emissions through photosynthetic process [9]. Therefore, this review put together the potentials and prospects of biodiesel compared to other renewables, discussed the types and suitable parameters for optimum biodiesel production, and underline the environmental benefit and economic feasibility of biodiesel, which was short felt of reporting in the literature of the best our knowledge.
Figure 1. A scheme for paradigm shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy
1.1 Biodiesel in preference to other renewables energies
Energy derived from natural sources, that is non-depleting is simply called renewable energy. Looking at ASEAN countries, Malaysia is one of the countries that witnessed tremendous economic growth, and this worked out when the government initiate the utilization of renewable energy alongside fossil fuels in the country's energy mix since 1980, with the diversification policy came into play [10]. More recently in 2018, Malaysia passionately targeted a 20% infusion of renewable energy in its energy mix by 2025, the aim was to balance the utilization of other non-renewable energy resources, for the enhancement of energy security and stability. However, the use of hydropower is largely driven due to abundant water resources and represents the largest portion of renewable energy (86 %) in Malaysia's energy mix [4]. Interestingly, nature being a part of the environment becomes economically gainful by boosting the economy from hydropower plants via electricity generation to underpin industrial development, derive revenue, and provide employment opportunities. On the opposite side, hydroelectric dams are associated with several environmental issues, including water quality control and ecological problems.
Hydrogen fuel is also another potent source of energy, with about 74 % mass of the entire Universe. Unfortunately, its susceptible to liberate GHG emissions since hydrogen atoms are usually found in association with oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen and as a result, separating this bond requires a lot of energy [11]. Likewise, considering the proximity of Malaysia to the equator, abundant solar rays are present all year round and this proffers the utilization of solar energy for electricity generation in Malaysia [12]. Therefore, the derivation of renewable energy from solar is popular compared to the other renewables like hydro, wind, and wave energy for electricity generation. Although the cost of solar panels and other installation gadgets reduced significantly since 2010, which accounted for the economic expansion of the solar industry. Regrettably, despite the popular use of solar energy in urban areas, its implementation requires all-inclusive urban planning especially the synergy between solar energy and urban morphology [13]. Moreover, the hazardous substances accompanied by the production process and short life span of the solar modules are foreseen to foster serious environmental and economic consequences [14]. Consequently, these types of renewable energy (solar, hydro, and wind) have only made a tiny dent in the energy mix, as they are mainly used for electricity generation. Whereas the diversification target includes meeting the liquid fuel demand for industrial, commercial, and transport sectors. However, researchers are working further towards tapping energy from other renewables like nuclear waste and flying wind power to complement other renewables [15]. Thus, the need to explore other renewable energy options particularly energy from biomass.
Therefore, to achieve the ambitious goals of more than sixty countries binding to the Paris agreement of 2005, on the need to curtail the effects of climate change in a just and inclusive transition by bringing down carbon footprint to net-zero emissions by 2050, energy from biomass should be a critical player. This put to speed the production of biofuels and their blends such as bioethanol, biodiesel, and biogas, including bio alcohols like biopropanol, biobutanol, and biomethanol [16]. Bioenergy otherwise known as biofuel is a type of energy derived from organic materials (plants and animals). In other words, they are further produced from renewable sources through the process of biological carbon fixation. This form of energy is central to the pollution abatement of CO2 emissions derived from fossil combustion through the process of photosynthesis [17]. Therefore, biofuels and other bioproducts would help to minimize the extreme of global warming. In 2020, the leading producing countries of biofuel were the USA, Brazil, and Indonesia, recording outputs as 1347, 884, and 283 petajoules, respectively. While Germany takes the lead in Europe with about 146 petajoules [18]. Generally, the growing demand for biofuels could be attributed to the compulsory use of this type of fuel and its blends in many countries. This is to reduce dependence on imported oil, support energy security mission, cut down GHG emissions, and drive towards the net-zero target, etc. In Malaysia, for instance, the government implemented many green energy policies to drive the local industry from 2001 to 2011, with energy from biomass particularly biodiesel being of keen interest, considering the abundance of palm oil as a major feedstock in the production of biodiesel [5]. Thereafter, Renewable Energy Act was gazetted in 2011 and has continuously been reviewed leading to the emergence of the National Biomass Strategy 2020 as the latest energy policy in Malaysia [4]. Thus, bioenergy is strategic in the context of the modern civilization and will continue to consolidate unabatedly toward meeting global energy stability.
Biogas is another type of renewable energy, but not green energy since is not close to carbon neutrality. It is produced by the degradation of microbial organic matter through an anaerobic process, a technique believed to be effective in converting biomass into energy for electricity, heating cooking, and transport fuel [19]. The technology for biogas production in most advanced countries like the USA and some European countries is taking to the next level. But on the contrary, in places like China and most Asian countries, the development of the biogas industry was barely close to none since the 1990s [20]. Nevertheless, there were some levels of improvements in biogas technology after years of research and experiments. This is augmented by the benefits of biogas in the areas of wastewater recycling, enhancing energy dependence, and the environmental conservation. While the high cost of producing biogas, biopropanol, and biobutanol affected their outspread. Moreover. Besides economic difficulty, other issues of concern are GHG emissions associated with biogas production from its composition [21]. Additionally, the need for professionals to handle and routinely maintain the biogas plant is crucial to its sustainability. Other problems include leakage from the reactor due to factors such as operational failure, shoddy piping, and excessive biogas strain which is attributed to the shutdown of biogas plants in many countries [20].
Bioethanol is likely another promising type of biofuel that has the potential to contribute to energy security. In 2020, about 142.9 billion liters of bioethanol were produced globally and were mostly consumed by the transport sector [22]. The USA and Brazil alone, produced about 84 % of the total production worldwide, followed by European countries representing 5 % of the total global output of 5443 million liters. Although, fuel ethanol is mainly produced from the fermentation of many feedstocks such as kernel, edible starchy crops, sugarcane, corn, barley, wheat, and lignocellulosic with many processes involved during production including fermentation, enzymatic hydrolysis, and gasification [23]. These are known as first-generation feedstock for bioethanol production and are widely embraced at an industrial scale. However, the USA and Brazil produces about 94% and 99% of the total bioethanol from corn and sugarcane, respectively in 2019. Additionally, similar edible feedstock types including wheat (18.7 %), maize (19.6 %), sugar beet (57.9 %), barley (1.9 %), and rye (1.9 %) were used in the production of bioethanol in European countries [24]. Consequently, the argument of food versus fuel competition for these feedstocks often declined the production rate of bioethanol [25]. Thus, the production of bioethanol shifted from biobased feedstocks to algal and industrial waste CO2 often addressed as the third and the fourth-generation feed stocks, respectively [26]. Another issue of steam debate is that of neutrality of carbon emissions from bioethanol during production, in which a large quantity of CO2 is liberated. Other problems associated with bioethanol include low energy content compared to gasoline, ease of moisture absorption leading to hydrolysis of bioethanol, high possibility of corroding metal engines, storage containers, difficulty to vaporize at low-temperature environment setting which often results in delaying engine starting, and susceptibility to enzymatic attack during fermentation [27]. Consequently, these are some of the factors which compromised the broader production of bioethanol and subsequently set the bar higher to produce biodiesel as the most preferred candidate.
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel which can be produced from oil crops, animal fats, or recycled oil through the transesterification process. This occurs when the oil or fats reacted with a solvent; (methanol, ethanol) in the presence of a catalyst; (acid, base, acid-base, or enzymes), to form fatty esters (biodiesel) and glycerol. One of the sole aims of the transesterification process is to lower the viscosity of the vegetable oil [28]. The produced fatty esters are considered environmentally friendly due to their low toxicity and are readily biodegradable. However, pyrolysis, micro-emulsification, blending with mineral diesel, esterification, and trans-esterification are the common methods of producing biodiesel but the latter seems to be the most frequently used method [29]. Several factors, such as catalysts type, reaction temperature, free fatty acid (FFA) contents, and alcohol to feedstock ratio have great influence in determining the success of the trans-esterification process [30]. Usually, a catalyst is used to improve the rate of the reaction and biodiesel, yield by shifting the equilibrium to the product side since the reaction is reversible [31]. Some of the benefits of biodiesel include a contribution to the growth of energy dependence, promoting resource conservation, protecting the environment, and creating job opportunities through improved social and economic prosperity which fosters the growth and development of rural economies [14].
- Biodiesel production
The production and consumption of biodiesel have continued to grow exponentially with many countries developing interest as one of the leading alternative sources of energy. Reports by the World Bioenergy Association [32] revealed that in 2020, 144 billion liters of biofuels were generated worldwide, with biodiesel accounting for about 26 %, bioethanol contributing the lion's share of 62 % while the remaining are from other sources. In 2020, the highest biodiesel production came from the USA, with a sum of 6.9 billion liters, followed by Brazil generating 6.3 billion liters and Argentina accounting for 1.6 billion liters. The statistics further show that Germany and France produced 2.49 and 2.09 billion liters, respectively. Furthermore, Indonesia take lead in Asia with 6.0 billion liters, while China and Malaysia, generated 1.5 and 1.2 billion liters, respectively with a linear projection that biodiesel production will increase significantly by 2030 [33].
Figure 2. Biodiesel production output of some countries in 2021
Doubtless, Figure 2 testifies that biodiesel is increasingly becoming a demanded commodity in the world today. However, ensuring sustainable biodiesel production and maintaining its longevity, remained a top priority. Because one major obstacle in the commercialization of biodiesel is the high cost of feedstock in many countries. In Europe, for instance, biodiesel is being sold at cheaper prices compared with petroleum diesel, due to the tax benefits given by the government to improve the potency of using biodiesel in various applications. Therefore, research-based, and profitable strategies for its production are consistently reviewed and upgraded to ensure sustainability. Figure 3 shows a simple scheme for biodiesel production methods. These available processes for biodiesel production are blending the biodiesel with conventional diesel, esterification, transesterification, micro-emulsification, and pyrolysis [34].
Figure 3. Methods for biodiesel production
2.1 Factors affecting biodiesel production
Biodiesel has received all-inclusive attention as a dependable substitute for conventional fuel in the past few years. This is evidenced by the growing biodiesel production in recent times, especially in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Although Covid‑19 pandemic impacted the biofuels industry negatively, a total of 144 billion liters of biodiesel was produced globally in 2020, equivalent to 2480 thousand barrels per day (kb/d). The phenomenon represents about an 11.6 % decline from 2019 production output, and the first annual production cut recorded in the last two decades. Numerous works have been done to identify suitable parameters for optimum biodiesel production [35]. Yet, the choice of processing parameters and variables, particularly solvent, reaction temperature, and catalyst remained paramount. Several factors must be considered to attain an optimal production within the stipulated reaction time. Alcohol/oil ratios, temperature, catalyst nature, loading, stirring effects, and fatty acid composition of the oil are all the most influential parameters.
2.1.1 Types of catalysts
The choice of a suitable catalyst is considered as a key for the optimum trans-esterification process. Several works have been conducted using a homogeneous, heterogeneous, enzyme catalyst, ionic liquids, and carbon-based catalyst [36]. According to Chavan & Gaikwad [37], a base-catalyzed reaction tends to be faster than an acid-catalyzed homogenous reaction. This according to the authors, is due to their efficiency in facilitating reaction at low temperatures. Saluja et al., [38] reported that low cost, short reaction time, and ability to perform optimally at low temperature are some factors credited to the broader acceptability of base-catalyzed trans-esterification [39]. However, the wider acceptance of heterogeneous catalysts as the preferred option was attributed to their ability to work in both esterification and transesterification processes. Inevitably, the use of heterogeneous catalysts has its portion of weaknesses including high reaction temperature, pressure, catalyst concentration, and the possibility to corrode metal surfaces [40]. Alternatively, enzyme catalyst is currently trending in the research phase, with the possibility of taking over the chemical catalysts [41]. The use of enzymes catalyst for biodiesel production resolved the effect of longer reaction time during production, catalyst wastage, generation of side products, and vulnerability to high FFA [42]. Moreover, the use of ionic liquids (ILs) and non-catalyzed routes under supercritical conditions have currently been adapted and found to be successful on a laboratory scale by some researchers [43]. Nevertheless, high cost, non-product recovery, and low reusability were some of the identified operational problems as barriers to their large-scale industrial acceptance. Table 1 reports the percentage yields, merit, and demerits of various types of catalysts. Therefore, transesterification using homogeneous catalysts remained the most favorable and applicable process for laboratory and industrial-scale biodiesel production.
Table 1. Classification of various types of catalyst
2.1.2 Types of feedstocks
The steam debate of food versus fuel competition for the edible crops as feedstock prompted the reviewed strategies towards using non-edible sources, micro-based algae, and waste from sludge, as feedstocks for biodiesel production. This is to cut down the cost of raw materials, accounting for the high cost of biodiesel and ensuring the sustainability of biodiesel production. However, the appropriateness of different feedstock types for effective biodiesel production is continuously been studied [49]. Although biodiesel can be prepared using either edible or non-edible oils, locally available and low-cost feedstocks are the two critical factors mostly considered when choosing a suitable feedstock for biodiesel production. Normally, the viability of non-edible oils as feedstock for biodiesel production is highly dependent on the number of fatty acids and free fatty acid (FFA) content present in the oils. The other interesting factors are the possibility of high oil yield from the feedstock, and the ability to withstand environmental influence after production [16]. The choice of feedstock for biodiesel synthesis is paramount and this is mainly hinged on the availability of the production site and cost. For instance, soybean oil is predominantly used in the USA, Argentina, and Brazil, while rapeseed oil is mainly utilized in Europe [33], palm oil and coconut oil in Southeast Asia mainly Malaysia and Indonesia [50], as presented in Table 2. However, with over 350 oil-bearing crops identified as potential feedstock sources for biodiesel production, the high cost of feedstock remained a major barrier to the broader utilization of biodiesel. This is due to the point that many countries resort to exploring their resources for use as feedstock for biodiesel production. Table 3 presents a summary of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth-generation types of feedstocks with their merits and demerits. Therefore, researchers and biodiesel producers were energized owing to the availability of various feedstocks for producing biodiesel for compression ignition engine applications.
Table 2. Leading biodiesel producers, major used feed stocks, and price per litre in 2021
Table 3. Different types of feedstocks for biodiesel production
2.1.3 Reaction time, temperature, and type of solvent
Other process variables such as solvent type, temperature, reaction time, and alcohol to oil ratio are essential factors for the optimum biodiesel production. According to Srivastava et al. [34] for the stoichiometry of the reaction to shift to the product side, an alcohol to triglycerides molar ratio of 6:1 is primarily used in most trans-esterification processes. In such a process, the temperature is maintained at 60 , and the reaction usually completes within one (1) hour. Similarly, research conducted by Refaat et al. [52] observed that 65 , the reaction temperature is the optimum temperature for trans-esterification processes of many types of oils, with a reaction completion period of 30 min. Therefore, the conversion of oil to ester is mainly dependent on reaction time and temperature. Similarly, intense mixing is further another essential factor for a smooth trans-esterification process. According to the authors, effective stirring facilitates the dissolution of solute in the solvents, harmonizes the solution, and ultimately increases the reaction yield. Hence, 1000 rpm is the optimum stirring rate for both motionless and high-shear mixers. Moreover, solvent polarity plays a significant role in fast-tracking the rate of the trans-esterification process. Thanh et al. [53] reported that methanol is the most suitable solvent due to its greater polarity, easy recovery, and low cost. While Chai et al. [54] discovered that the use of tetrahydrofuran (THF) can speed up product separation after the trans-esterification reaction. Research carried out by Ho et al. [55] observed that polar solvents such as THF, DMF, ethanol, methanol, and water are suitable for improving the solubility, shortening the reaction time, and improving yield.
2.2 Economic feasibility and environmental benefits of biodiesel
As the demand and consumption of biodiesel are gradually increasing across the globe, producers of biodiesel are re-directing towards locally available, low-cost feedstock, and the cheap cost of production. This is to avail the affordability of the commodity at a lower rate compared with mineral diesel, for generous patronage. The broader acceptance of biodiesel at a commercial scale is hinged on its techno-economic feasibility, circumscribed by parameters such as the cost of raw materials particularly feedstock, production cost, and the market price of selling the produced biodiesel in comparison to mineral diesel, are key for the long-term viability of biodiesel production [56]. However, the effects of biodiesel on the global market prices are considered less significant due to the demand for the commodity. Therefore, factors considered for evaluating the viability of biodiesel production were operational costs comprising raw materials (feedstock price, chemicals, labor, and utilities), fixed charges (tax), and general costs such as insurance, transport, electricity, research, and development [57], all of which are binding to the profitability of biodiesel production which can be visible if the net present cost is lesser than the net present benefit. The cost of feedstock price is the key determinant factor for biodiesel cost, accounting for about 80% of the total production cost. However, the cost of catalysts and other chemicals has a negligible influence on the production cost. Because of this, the focus shifted from edible to non-edible, to erase the food versus fuel controversy and minimize cost. Likewise, the utilization of microalgae and sludge wastes, addressed as the third and the fourth-generation feed stocks respectively, were equally targeting cost reduction and conversion of the waste into value-added products in line with the circular economy. It is against this backdrop, that the Malaysian palm oil board (MPOB) established several methods to produce biodiesel from crude palm oil by-products [58], tailored toward reducing the cost of production, and minimizing the environmental problems associated with the generated wastes, in line with ensuring the sustainability and cost viability of biodiesel production.
Looking at the environment, utilizing biodiesel reduced hazardous emissions profile due to low carbon combustion. This supports GHG emission abatement strategies that heightened global warming and accelerate climate change [59]. The utilization of non-edible oils, microalgae, and waste from sludge help in remediating the environment. This is because the left-over accumulation of these wastes and their indiscriminate discharge in open spaces at some points liberates GHG such as CH4 and N2O that contaminate and often make the environment unattended, a common problem in both urban and rural areas. Therefore, biodiesel is considered as a promising type of fuel, because it is produced from various renewable sources which are less toxic, biodegradable, and environmentally benign. It is an oxygenated fuel with improved combustion efficiency, low carbon emission profile, and reduced risk of flammability. Furthermore, it is safer in terms of handling, storing, and transporting, due to higher flash points than mineral diesel. The absence of sulfur, and other aromatic compounds, coupled with low carbon content, minimizes CO emissions due to the low combustion profile [60].
- Conclusion and future directions
The symmetrical growth in the world population day by day, coupled with increased emissions from fossil fuel combustion, ignited the quest for clean, affordable, and sustainable energy globally. As the population grows, more means of transportation become readily available, and this upends the growing demand for energy in the future. Thus, finding reliable, affordable, and sustainable clean energy would support quenching the energy thirst and remediating the confronting climate change induced by the influx of CO2 and GHG emissions. Accordingly, the utilization of renewable energy resources particularly biodiesel, would contribute to the diversification policy for enhanced energy security, quench the thirst for the bulk liquid fuel demand, create a window for employment, and support revenue influx from biodiesel production. Therefore, besides the cost viability and availability of raw material, the other factors related to selectivity need to be considered to ensure biodiesel's high production yield and affordability. Concurrently, to replace mineral diesel with biodiesel substantially for usage in the transport and other sectors, the production of biodiesel needs to be expanded at the current rate. In conclusion, the following recommendations were made for future work towards improving the longevity and sustainability of biodiesel production.
- Despite the abundant waste especially from sludge and non-edible oils discarded at restaurants, researchers have not done enough towards exploring the potential of these types of feedstocks for biodiesel production. This will foster economic viability for low production costs, ensure sustainability, and promote bioremediation through waste recycling.
- In addition, little has been done on the utilization of fruit and vegetable wastes as bioethanol and bio-methanol in place of the conventional solvent for biodiesel synthesis. This will equally flow in line with the circular economy by converting waste to value-added products, while simultaneously fostering sustainability, waste recycling, and drastic reduction of production costs.
- Most naturally occurring feedstocks used in biodiesel synthesis, contained a certain quantity of natural antioxidants, which are considerably reduced or washed out during the oil refining process, distillation, or purification. Thus, to address this issue, a new method called solvent-aided crystallization can be used to replace wet washing during purification. This is to preserve the natural antioxidants and eliminate the wastewater generation which needs further treatments afterward.
Other drawbacks to address include the issue of low energy content, poor oxidation stability, poor cold flow leading to filter blockage, poor ignition and volatility, incomplete combustion, and poor atomization, which ultimately compromise the engine compatibility, leading to increase maintenance cost and diminishing broader marketability of biodiesel.


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Getting Started With a Domain Name and Hosting
Domain Name
Most likely you will hire someone to develop your website correctly. The following information is to help you hire the right person and ensure you receive a quality product. Before contacting any company make sure you have your vision clearly laid out. Previously we went through the steps for finding great domain names. By now you should have purchased at least one, but maybe several different domains. Review that list and pick the site that will be your primary website and which ones will be supplemental sites, if any. Supplemental sites are not offshoots or stepchildren. These websites should stand on their own merits. They need the same amount of content and care as your primary website. Their purpose is to be another source of visibility for a more specific visitor using specific keywords. Due to this, it is recommended that you develop your primary site completely and fully before embarking on additional sites.
After picking your primary domain name you need to decide on a hosting company. Chances are when you hire a website development company they will have recommendations for where they want to host the website. This is so that they have easy access to the nuts and bolts of the site. As mentioned before, you want to make sure that it is hosted with a reputable company that is not known for spamming or other types of negative services. It also should be hosted with a company that is secure and reliable. Before agreeing to any web hosting recommendations, ask questions and do your research on the hosting company. Another important factor to consider is the speed of the servers the hosting company uses. This is important because their equipment will affect how fast your website will load when someone visits. Speed and security are used in search engine results and are very important to the overall user experience and success of your site.


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Purple Bloom School offers:
Bridge Year for students aged 5 for students that have completed Pre-K but are not quite ready to enter Kindergarten. Bridge-Year is composed of Purple Bloom School curriculum.
Kindergarten for ages 5-6. Kindergarten curriculum is composed of Purple Bloom School curriculum, comparative to Iowa City School District requirements. Kindergarten teachers are licensed elementary teachers in the state of Iowa.
For 1st to 6th Grade Purple Bloom School is currently offering a place for students to do online learning with their school district. Elementary Contract
All Elementary is M-F, 7:00AM-5:30PM.
- From the Gallery


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For avid skiers, Japan is one of those must-ski places on the bucket list. And, of all the mountains and resorts in the country, it's Hokkaido that everyone wants to head to. We visited in summer, skeptical that it wouldn't have the same magic about it. We were wrong, it was just as beautiful. Partly because we stayed at one of Hokkaido's most gorgeous resorts. Here's what we thought of Hoshino Resorts Tomamu.
Located in the centre of Japan's northern island Hokkaido, Hoshino Resorts Tomamu is a great base for exploring the island. It's just a 90-minute drive from New Chitose Airport, or you can take the Hokkaido Resort Linerbus service which offers great value. Super Express trains run from Sapporo 11 times a day and take close to 100 minutes to Tomamu station, where the resort's shuttle bus will meet you.
Why we stayed
Many Australians travel to Hokkaido to play in the snow, but we were keen to check out Japan's most northern island in the summertime. We're so glad we did. Before we visited Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, we drove around the island admiring flower fields and eating too much soft serve (they are obsessed with ice cream in Hokkaido!). When we got to the resort we wish we had booked for longer – it's a great summer location for families.
The resort comprises of two lofty towers – Risonare Tomamu and Tomamu The Tower. The two buildings loom over sprawling fields, which are covered in powdery white snow in winter and lush green grass in summer. Risonare Tomamu is a luxury all-suite hotel, positioned on an elevated site with great views in all directions. All the rooms are at least 100 square metres and have a sauna and a spa. This is where we stayed and it was hard to leave, especially because the best view is from the spa – yes, we got in before we even unpacked. Tomamu The Tower has many room configuration options – including family rooms – and is in a more central location. There are great kid spaces in both towers.
People travel from far and wide to view the 'Sea of Clouds' from Unkai Terrace, which is essentially a panorama of overcast layers of clouds that transpire as a result of trade winds and are visible only from places at high elevation. Regrettably, during our visit we didn't get the surreal effect we were hoping for, but it's still a great experience to go up there. It's a 13-minute gondola ride up to the peaks of mountains of Hidaka and Tokachi. Head up early in the morning to people watch, have a coffee and admire the views below from the multiple viewing areas.
The farm is another great experience for families. There's a lounge area surrounded by hay, hammocks and hay beds for you to relax in while admiring the farm animals. Our daughter wasn't into laying down (toddlers…), but she adored being in such close proximity to sheep and lambs.
Mina-Mina Beach – Japan's largest indoor beach – is another must visit at the resort. The 80-metre long, 30-metre wide pool is popular with all guests. There's a wave pool, kids pool with colourful balls, relaxation area and, obviously, plenty of space to swim. Come nightfall, the indoor beach is lit up and transformed into a romantic area.
Another destination that is magical at night is the chapel on the water. The otherworldly beauty of the cross with the trees behind it is almost eerie together with the still reflections under a sky flooded with stars. It's particularly special admired in silence, so one for the older kids.
It's all about the great outdoors at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, with summer activities covering everything from river rafting and horse riding to hiking and hot air ballooning. There's a section on the company website where you can filter activities by selecting the ages of the children in the family and the month you will be visiting. We went on a hike this time and when our daughter is older I'd be keen to return and go on a river rafting escapade.
Food & beverage
Choice, choice, choice! There are around 20 eateries spanning everything from casual cafes to huge buffet restaurants to fine dining establishments. We didn't get to try even close to all of them, but Forest Restaurant Nininupuri stood out for me as a firm favourite. The buffet restaurant has a forest-like feel with high ceilings, plenty of woodwork and large windows through which you can see the forest of Tomamu. Although it's a buffet, there are plenty of options that can be cooked to order, with a focus on signature meats.
The best bit for us was its family-friendliness. Parents with babies can put their tot into a moveable chair that acts as both a high chair and a food tray. This is the first time that hubby and I did not have to take turns going to get food at a buffet restaurant since our daughter was born.
Family travel tip
The resort embraces nature and many of the activities – both in summer and winter – are designed to help children learn about and appreciate the natural world. The Summer Family Forest Adventure is one such example, where kids can learn about trees and insects while going on a short walk.
Naka-Tomamu Shimukappu Yufutsu Hokkaido, Japan
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When you travel every day is different! You get to experience different cultures, meet new people, get lost, find cool laneway bars, try weird and delicious foods, snorkel with sea lions, fly over mountains carpeted in grass, laze about in hammocks immersed in Windex-blue water, horse ride alongside gauchos, call sleeper trains, igloos and yurts home for a night, cycle past giraffes, dance with Masai warriors, play with local school children.


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Last Updated on April 14, 2024 by Ali Hamza
Learning how to play better baseball is always quite fun. It is also very rewarding and can take you places if you're good enough. No matter what your plans are, you are here to learn more about baseball and to help your team right? Well, it's time to get started reading so that you can take in some great tips.
You can practice alone. A pitching machine allows you to set the speed of the ball. By loading several baseballs into the machine, you can practice hitting without needing a pitcher. This electronic machine is perfect for those who wish to practice baseball alone. Pitching machines can be picked up at your local sporting goods store.
Remember that baseball is only a game. Yes, it may be important to you and your team, but you don't want to let it get you down. Even if you make a mistake, if you keep positive there's always a chance to correct that mistake. But if you let it bother you, chance are you'll make another mistake.
Learn how to play as a team. Baseball may not feel like a team sport in the same way as basketball or football, but it certainly still is one. When you master how to play as a team, especially on defense and when there are men on base in offense, you'll start winning more games than you lose!
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If you're into stealing bases, practice taking leads off of bases. Taking leads means you need to know not only your own speed, but also the speed of the pitcher's pick off move, the speed of his delivery to the plate, and the speed and accuracy of the catcher's arm. There's a lot to consider that'll affect how much lead you take.
Always follow the signs given to you by your manager or base coach. Remember, baseball is a team sport. It's not just about your statistics. Sometimes the coach may give you a sign you don't like, but trust in the fact that it's likely the best move given a lot of different factors.
As a baseball coach, you are responsible for quite a few things on game day. Be certain to bring everything you need to the game. Among the items you should have on hand are knee cushions, your substitution rotation sheet, a pencil and your score book, your cell phone and a well stocked first aid kit in case of emergency. Also have your team roster on hand listing the batting order and the positions your team members will play.
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When you coach baseball, it is important to have a good practice schedule so that all the players know what to expect and can set their own personal goals. For the best results, start with a warm up that lasts at least 10 minutes and then get into team and individual practice drills for another 20. The next five minutes should be base running, followed by 10 minutes of team defense strategy and situational drills. Finish your practice with 10 minutes of drills for certain positions and then a cool down. Address any questions or comments with a quick team meeting, and your baseball practice is complete.
As a baseball coach, you will be expected to give a rousing pre-game talk. Your talk should take place away from all distractions, and it should be brief. Be sure to focus on the main goals of the game and put the most emphasis on good sportsmanship and respecting the umpires. Be confident and enthusiastic about your players' abilities, and encourage them to have a great time.
You could lose sight of the baseball in the bright sun or glare of the stadium lights. Therefore, do not stare at the lights when the ball is in the air. Using your peripheral vision, you can find the ball and not see spots.
Don't reach for a grounder across your body. You must quickly move to the direction of the baseball in order to stay out in front. This will give you the best chance to secure the ball.
When pitching, you have to remember that focus is everything. As soon as you are going into the kick position to pitch the ball, you must absolutely remember that you never take your eyes away from the catcher's glove. This is to ensure that you have proper aim when releasing the ball.
When it is time to bat, you must know how to line up correctly at home base. Your body should be facing home plate. Plant your feet about shoulder width apart and slightly bend your knees. Extend the baseball bat to the plate to ensure that the tip of it lines up with the farthest side of the base.
One thing you must think about as a pitcher is the fact that you must watch runners leading off on base. This is especially important when it comes to preventing second base steals and squeeze plays at home. If you can pick off a runner that is trying to get in your head, then you have done your job.
To keep a left-handed pitcher from picking you off at first base, keep an eye on his right foot. As soon as it passes back across the rubber, he has to pitch it. If he throws it to first, it's a balk. If he brings the foot straight up, he is likely to throw it to first.
Remember that baseball is a team sport. it is not just about making yourself look like a professional player. You should not hog all the glory. Playing as a team with a great strategy can help your team win more games. When you play together, everyone has a chance to shine.
You hopefully have learned a thing or two from reading through this helpful article about baseball. While baseball is a very involved sport with much to learn, take it one step at a time and be dedicated to practice. Using the tips that you have read about will help you on the field.
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Research Reveals Perceptions of Progress Toward Gender Diversity Are Misaligned Within Sales Organizations –
Eighty-four percent of chief sales officers (CSOs) report they are satisfied with the gender diversity of their sales organizations; however, men still outnumber women in all levels of the organization, according to Gartner, Inc.
While heads of sales are generally satisfied with the diversity of their organizations, our research found that the gender gap is still large and not getting better despite more attention being paid to the issue. In fact, while many organizations have made progress with hiring women in sales managers and leadership roles, most still fall way behind their male counterparts in similar roles, and perception differences between female and male employees may be the reason why.
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April 1, 2022Gartner's State of Gender Diversity in Sales: 2020 Report reveals a misalignment of perceptions on progress toward closing the gender gap in sales organizations among CSOs, sales leaders, and sales reps. Despite CSOs' efforts to improve gender diversity, nearly three quarters (74%) of female respondents, and more than half of male respondents, reported that their organizations still have a male-dominated sales culture.
Other key findings that indicate an inclusion problem still exists within sales organizations include:
• 66% of women and 56% of men report that their organizations struggle to retain high-performing female sales professionals.
• 61% of women believe that they have the same opportunities for advancement as their male counterparts with the same skills and qualifications.
• 55% of women believe that their company's nonmonetary rewards appeal equally to men and women. This is down from 2017, when 94% of men and 68% of women agreed that their company's nonmonetary rewards appeal equally to men and women.
• 63% of women agreed that women and men have equal access to resources in attaining or exceeding goals at their sales organization.
Gender diversity is not on the rise in sales organizations — and deep misalignments between men's and women's perceptions of gender diversity challenges remain. As long as these biases remain, it will be hard for senior leaders to identify how their organizations' norms and culture need to change to attract high-performing female candidates and retain female sales leaders.
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To effectively improve gender diversity in their sales organizations, heads of sales will need to take a planned and purposeful approach to auditing broad elements of their employee experience — from hiring and recruiting, to retention, advancement, and overall culture — in order to identify and eliminate the outdated policies that are disadvantages to female talent.
This content is adapted from Gartner for Sales Leaders report "State of Gender Diversity in Sales: 2020 Report."