THE HINDU EDITORIAL : FEBRUARY 12, 2019
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THE HINDU EDITORIAL : FEBRUARY 12, 2019
Dear Banking Aspirants,
THE HINDU EDITORIAL – February 12, 2018, is one of the must-read section for the competitive exams like NIACL AO Prelims Exam, IBPS SO Mains Exam. These topics are widely expected to be asked in the reading comprehension, Cloze Test or Error Detection in the forthcoming exams. So gear up your Exam preparation and learn new words daily.
A) A curious bid: on Thailand’s general election
The Thai general election will determine the military’s power in the new set-up
The rather unusual move by a member of Thailand’s royal family to announce a bid for the office of Prime Minister has ignited greater interest in the country’s general election. Ubolratana Rajakanya, King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s sister, subsequently had her nomination withdrawn — but the fact that the prospect drew a public disapproval from the King is an indication of how closely the palace is tracking the contest. The larger question concerning the March 24 poll is the prospect of Thailand’s credible return to civilian rule, after the 2014 military coup that deposed the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. The military general-turned-Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, is contesting as the candidate of the Palang Pracharat party, known for its pro-military and pro-palace leanings. The constitution drafted by his ruling National Council for Peace and Order, and ratified in a 2016 popular referendum, introduced a voting system that provides for a wholly nominated Upper House of Parliament and allotment of seats to army officers. King Vajiralongkorn had granted approval for its promulgation only after withholding some other controversial provisions. The March general election has been long overdue, as General Prayuth repeatedly deferred the dates since seizing power in 2014. Moreover, investigations into social media content from the new Future Forward party have added to worries about the junta silencing Opposition voices. While the bid to hand over power to an elected government may seem well-intended, the power given to the military in the legislature remains a concern.
Ms. Ubolratana had entered the fray with the Thai Raksa Chart party, which is linked to exiled former Prime Ministers, the telecommunications tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck. The Shinawatras are perceived to be a challenge to the Bangkok elite, including the palace and the military. But despite being evicted from power in coups, they still hold sway among the predominantly rural electorate. Till now, the military had struggled to dent their chances sufficiently, and Mr. Shinawatra or his proxies won every election since the early 2000s. The new constitution ensures that the military will be a crucial determinant in a democratic transition. King Vajiralongkorn’s public response to his sister’s decision to contest the election may also affect the chances of Mr. Shinawatra’s party. Ms. Ubolratana had relinquished her royal title in the 1970s, but her candidature sparked speculation about an understanding between the palace and Mr. Shinawatra. The March election is being watched keenly across the region. The second largest economy in Southeast Asia, Thailand this year assumes the presidency of ASEAN, that sets a broad economic and political agenda for member-states. A number of them are so-called guided democracies, with a pre-eminent role for the military.
B)Welcome shift: on Muzaffarpur shelter home trial
The transfer of the Muzaffarpur shelter home trial to Delhi is a major step towards justice
The Supreme Court’s order transferring the trial in the Muzaffarpur shelter home case from Bihar to a court in Delhi is a welcome intervention to ensure justice for the children who were sexually exploited. The Central Bureau of Investigation had argued that the trial would not be fair if it was held in Muzaffarpur. In shifting it to a court notified under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act at Saket in Delhi, the apex court has once again demonstrated its lack of confidence in the Bihar government. It had transferred the investigation from the State police to the CBI. Later, it asked the agency to take over the probe in respect of 16 other shelter homes for children, destitute women and senior citizens. These interventions had become necessary, given the apparent apathy of the authorities in Bihar even after horrific instances of physical and sexual exploitation came to light last year. The Bihar government asked the Tata Institute of Social Sciences to audit the short-stay and shelter homes, run by non-governmental organisations but funded by the government. Last year, TISS came up with a damning report on the unsafe conditions in which children were staying in many shelter homes. The Muzaffarpur home was among the worst: many girls reported physical and sexual violence. More than 30 girls below 17 have been sexually assaulted.
However, the subsequent response of the State government has not inspired much confidence. Apart from some officials being suspended, and some of those involved arrested, the State government did not have much to show as stringent action. Its response came under adverse scrutiny. A Bench of the Supreme Court found that 11 FIRs mentioned only minor offences, that is, “the least serious” of the offences involved. In the Muzaffarpur case, the court took note of the clout of Brajesh Thakur, whose NGO ran the shelter home concerned. The girls in the shelter identified Chandrasekhar Verma, the husband of former Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma, as a frequent visitor. The Verma couple later surrendered to the authorities. It is disquieting and significant that the court had to order Thakur’s transfer to a prison in Patiala to prevent him from exerting his influence on the authorities in Bihar. The court is also separately monitoring the functioning of child care homes in Bihar. Meanwhile, it is high time that States bestowed sufficient attention to such institutions. A recent Central government committee report highlighted the shocking inadequacies in the facilities available at most child care institutions and homes. There is a strong case for a systematic scrutiny to be taken up on an urgent basis to address the problem.
VOCABULARY
1) ignited
Meaning : catch fire or cause to catch fire.
Synonyms : inflame
Antonyms : extinguish
Example : “furniture can give off lethal fumes when it ignites”
2) contest
Meaning : engage in competition to attain (a position of power)(v).
Tamil Meaning : போட்டி
Synonyms : challenge
Antonyms : peace
Example : “she declared her intention to contest the presidency”
3) concerning
Meaning : causing anxiety; worrying(adj).
Synonyms : burden
Antonyms : pastime
Example : “I find many of the comments very concerning”
4) deposed
Meaning : remove from office suddenly and forcefully(v).
Synonyms : demote
Antonyms : allow
Example : “he had been deposed by a military coup”
5) ratified
Meaning : sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid(v).
Tamil Meaning : ஒப்புதல்
Synonyms : approve
Antonyms : deny
Example : “both countries were due to ratify the treaty by the end of the year”
6) promulgation
Meaning : promote or make widely known (an idea or cause)(v).
Synonyms : dissemination
Antonyms : concealment
Example : “these objectives have to be promulgated within the organization”
7) controversial
Meaning : giving rise or likely to give rise to controversy or public disagreement(adj).
Synonyms : disputed
Antonyms : certain
Example : “years of wrangling over a controversial bypass”
8) intended
Meaning : planned or meant(adj).
Tamil Meaning : நோக்கம்
Synonyms : contracted
Antonyms : unfixed
Example : “the intended victim escaped”
9) exiled
Meaning : (of a person) having been expelled and barred from one’s native country, typically for political or punitive reasons(adj)
Synonyms : displace
Antonyms : hold
Example : “supporters of the exiled king”
10) perceived
Meaning : become aware or conscious of (something); come to realize or understand(v).
Tamil Meaning : உணரப்பட்ட
Synonyms : recognized
Example : “his mouth fell open as he perceived the truth”
11) despite
Meaning : contemptuous treatment or behaviour; outrage(n).
Tamil Meaning : போதிலும்
Synonyms : against
Antonyms : exalt
Example : “the despite done by him to the holy relics”
12) evicted
Meaning : expel (someone) from a property, especially with the support of the law(v).
Tamil Meaning : வெளியேற்றப்பட்ட
Synonyms : dismiss
Antonyms : hold
Example : “a single mother and her children have been evicted from their home”
13) predominant
Meaning : present as the strongest or main element(adj).
Tamil Meaning : முதன்மையானதாக
Synonyms : potent
Antonyms : inferior
Example : “the predominant colour was white”
14) dent
Meaning : a slight hollow in a hard even surface made by a blow or pressure(n).
Synonyms : incision
Antonyms : increase
Example : “there was a hideous dent in the front passenger door”
15) ensures
Meaning : make certain that (something) will occur or be the case(v).
Tamil Meaning : உறுதி
Synonyms : establish
Antonyms : endanger
Example : “the client must ensure that accurate records are kept”
16) determinant
Meaning : a factor which decisively affects the nature or outcome of something(n).
Tamil Meaning : நிர்ணயிக்கும்
Synonyms : final
Antonyms : exalt
Example : “pure force of will was the main determinant of his success”
17) relinquished
Meaning : voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up.
Tamil Meaning : கைவிட
Synonyms : abandon
Antonyms : allow
Example : “he relinquished his managerial role to become chief executive”
18) eminent
Meaning : (of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere(adj).
Tamil Meaning : சிறந்த
Synonyms : esteemed
Antonyms : obscure
Example : “one of the world’s most eminent statisticians”
19) sway
Meaning : move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically backwards and forwards or from side to side(v).
Synonyms : amplitude
Antonyms : inability
Example : “he swayed slightly on his feet”
20) seizing
Meaning : a length of cord or rope used for fastening or tying(n).
Tamil Meaning : பறித்தார்
Synonyms : snatch
Antonyms : give
Example : “they prepared a great many seizings to tie the men with”
21) intervention
Meaning : the action or process of intervening(n).
Tamil Meaning : தலையீடு
Synonyms : interference
Example : “a high degree of state intervention in the economy”
22) exploited
Meaning : make use of (a situation) in a way considered unfair or underhand(v).
Tamil Meaning : சுரண்டப்பட்ட
Synonyms : abused
Example : “the company was exploiting a legal loophole”
23) destitute
Meaning : extremely poor and lacking the means to provide for oneself(adj).
Synonyms : bankrupt
Antonyms : affluent
Example : “the charity cares for destitute children”
24) damning
Meaning : (of a circumstance or piece of evidence) strongly suggesting guilt or error(adj).
Synonyms : incriminating
Antonyms : blessing
Example : “I was innocent but the evidence was damning”
25) assaulted
Meaning : make a physical attack on(v).
Synonyms : abuse
Antonyms : decrease
Example : “he pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer”
26) stringent
Meaning : (of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting(adj).
Tamil Meaning : கடுமையான
Synonyms : binding
Antonyms : amenable
Example : “stringent guidelines on air pollution”
27) scrutiny
Meaning : critical observation or examination(n).
Tamil Meaning : கண்காணிப்பின்
Synonyms : inquiry
Example : “every aspect of local government was placed under scrutiny“
28) prevent
Meaning : keep (something) from happening(v).
Synonyms : avert
Antonyms : allow
Example : “action must be taken to prevent further accidents”
29) disquieting
Meaning : inducing feelings of anxiety or worry(adj).
Synonyms : annoying
Antonyms : calming
Example : “he found Jean’s gaze disquieting”
30) exerting
Meaning : apply or bring to bear (a force, influence, or quality)(v).
Synonyms : exercise
Antonyms : conceal
Example : “the moon exerts a force on the Earth”