Recommendation 1 from ‘CNN World’
Article Name:‘The real obstacle to democracy in Egypt’
By: ‘David A love’
The article states that no matter how many parties exist in Egypt and who wins the presidential elections, the real obstacle to democracy in Egypt is the military rule, which still runs the country. Article states that military still dominated the economy and putting it in number it could be somewhere in between 10%-30%. However, the article also states that no one knows about it, as it is a best kept secret and also nothing will matter until and unless military gives up the power. Article also cites an example of a bad impact that military has had on Egypt .i.e. controlling of the press. Taking this into consideration, article states that elections become important, but the most important part of Egypt turning into democracy will be the writing of the constitution and guarantee of the rights to people, as none of this has ever happened before due to the presence of military dictatorship. Writer goes on to describe democracy in Egypt as an earthquake in the Arab world, in case it succeeds.
Summary:
Military rule is an obstacle in the growth of any country. It is a rule and not a system that is run by people. Further, military itself suggests the presence of arms, which in turn suggests that power is taken up with arms, so eventually absolute power corrupts. Corrupt power eventually leads to controlling of the media etc. Hence, yes, it becomes important for Egypt that military rule is absolutely abolished and democracy is ushered in. In the Arab world, it will be the one of its kind, if it works.
Learn Words from the article:
Emphasis: Stress
Dominates: Controls
Constitution: Charter
Abstract: Nonfigurative
Recommendation 2 from ‘The Guardian’
Article Name:‘Dowry deaths are hidden curse of big fat Indian wedding’
By: ‘Priya Virmani’
The article states that in India, every hour a woman dies in a dowry related case. The article also gives the reference of a newly telecasted show on television in the second episode of which big fat Indian weddings wee talked about. Article states that despite the existence of laws against dowry in India, such cases are only increasing. It also bears a direct correlation with female infanticide, as poorer families do not want the liability to hoard money for their daughter’s wedding. Further, the article states that shift in India’s attitude towards marriage and dowry should happen fast, as dowry equals literally paying a man for taking the daughter in marriage.
Summary:
The stories that were narrated on the show that has been mentioned in the article were heart wrenching. Marriages shouldn’t be the responsibility of the parents, children should get married with their own money, only then the system of dowry will be abolished. This is a shift that is required in the attitude and a stringent law is required, so that not even a single penny leaves as dowry.
Learn Words from the article:
Prestige: Status
Extract: Take out
Inadequate: Insufficient
Recommendation 3 from ‘The New York Times’
Article Name:‘How Twitter matters: Casting a worldwide net’
By: ‘Andrew C. Revkin’
Article states that with the help of Twitter we are building a Knowosphere. Article cites the example of a conference, where an inquiry as put on Twitter with the conference’s tag and this inquiry led to one reply after the other from various experts and it finally led to the repertoire of data.
Summary:
Twitter and for that matter even Facebook is building a Knowosphere. Both the mediums are used extensively by all the age groups for various purposes and sharing knowledge is one of them.
Learn Words from the article:
Collaboration: Teamwork
Analyzed: Examine methodically
Indicator: Pointer
