THE HINDU EDITORIAL : DECEMBER 6, 2018

Dear Banking Aspirants,

THE HINDU EDITORIAL – December 6, 2018, is one of the must-read section for the competitive exams like  IBPS Clerk 2018, Canara Bank PO – PGDBF 2018 and IBPS SO 2018. 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.

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A) A valid pause: on RBI holding rates

While holding rates, the RBI has wisely stuck to its policy stance of ‘calibrated tightening’

The Reserve Bank of India’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged, given easing inflation and the slowdown in economic momentum, was both expected and reasonable. In fact, the RBI was prompted to sharply lower its projection for price gains after an unexpected softening in food inflation and a collapse in oil prices in a surprisingly short span of time — the price of India’s crude basket tumbled almost 30% to below $60 by end-November from $85 in early October. The monetary policy committee (MPC) now estimates retail inflation in the second half of the fiscal year to slow to 2.7%-3.2%, at least 120 basis points lower than its October forecast of 3.9%-4.5%. And it foresees the softness in prices enduring through the April-September half of next year, when headline inflation is projected to hover around its medium-term target of 4% and register in a 3.8%-4.2% range. The MPC’s decision to stand pat on rates must also have been bolstered by the findings in the RBI’s November survey of households’ inflation expectations: the outlook for price gains, three months ahead, softened by 40 basis points from September. On growth, the monetary authority has largely stuck with its prognosis from October, while flagging both external and domestic risks to momentum as well as the likely sources of tailwinds. Among the positives cited, beyond a likely boost to consumption demand and corporate earnings from softer fuel costs, are two key data points from the RBI’s own surveys. Capacity utilisation rose to 76.1% in Q2, higher than the long-term average of 74.9%. Also, industrial firms reported an improvement in the demand outlook for Q4. Still, the forecast for full-year GDP growth has been retained at 7.4%, on the back of an expected 7.2%-7.3% second-half expansion, with the risks weighted to the downside.

Interestingly, and justifiably so, the RBI has opted to keep the powder dry by sticking to its policy stance of ‘calibrated tightening’. Given that its primary remit is to achieve and preserve price stability, the central bank is wary of the uncertainties that cloud the inflation horizon. For one, with the prices of several food items at “unusually low levels”, the RBI reckons there is the clear and present danger of a sudden reversal, especially in prices of volatile perishable items. Also, the medium-term outlook for crude oil is still quite hazy, with the possibility of a flare-up in geopolitical tensions and any decision by OPEC both likely to impact supplies. Buttressing this reasoning, households’ one-year-ahead inflation expectations remain elevated and unchanged from September. Most significantly, the central bank has once again raised a cautionary signal to governments, both at the Centre and in the States. Fiscal slippages risk impacting the inflation outlook, heightening market volatility and crowding out private investment. Instead, this may be an opportune time to bolster macroeconomic fundamentals through fiscal prudence.

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B) The Taiwan card: on Taipei’s ties with mainland

Taipei’s fine balance in its relationship with mainland China is coming under stress

The huge gains for the opposition Kuomintang, or the Chinese Nationalist Party, in Taiwan’s local elections may help in gradually improving the island’s ties with mainland China. Equally, the adverse results in some of its strongholds could complicate matters for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party government ahead of the 2020 general elections. President Tsai Ing-wen has stepped down as the party chief, owning moral responsibility for the setback; her re-election bid is in doubt. The pro-independence stance of the DPP is at variance with Beijing’s repeated assertion of its sovereignty over Taiwan, which it insists it is prepared to defend through the use of force. All the same, the Taiwanese government has been equally concerned to not allow the long-standing dispute to escalate to a point of jeopardising the strong trade relations between the two territories. But this delicate balance has turned somewhat more precarious since Donald Trump became President of the United States. Ever since his election, he has sought to leverage Taiwan to pressure China in the U.S.’s ongoing trade war. A first indication was the congratulatory call he received from Ms. Tsai on his poll victory. The episode raised concerns over the status of U.S.-China diplomatic relations, established in 1979, and the consequent downgrading of the U.S.’s ties with Taipei to unofficial exchanges. The 2018 Taiwan Travel Act aims to promote greater engagement between Washington and Taipei. Similarly, the new headquarters of the American Institute in Taiwan in Taipei is symbolic of the shift. The Taiwanese President’s recent visits to the U.S. and interactions with several Congressmen have predictably angered Beijing.

Meanwhile, frictions between the two neighbours have also increased. Taipei has alleged that the recent mayoral elections were marred by Beijing’s meddling, with money funnelled illegally to fund opposition campaigns. Business corporations have come under pressure to take down references to Taiwan as a separate entity. Beijing is believed to be applying overt and covert pressure to stop countries from according diplomatic recognition to Taipei. In an echo of China’s increasing economic clout among developing countries, a number of African and Central American states have withdrawn formal ties with Taipei and established links with Beijing since Ms. Tsai became President. In a referendum coinciding with the polls, the people rejected a proposal to rename the country’s Olympic team as Taiwan, instead of the current Chinese Taipei. The verdict is an indication of the limited support for independence and a greater preference to maintain the status quo. Taiwan stands to gain by staying clear of big power rivalries.

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VOCABULARY

1) prompted

Meaning : (of an event or fact) cause or bring about (an action or feeling)(v).

Tamil Meaning : தூண்டியது

Synonyms : efficient

Antonyms : delayed

Example : “the violence prompted a wave of refugees to flee the country”

2) tumbled

Meaning : fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong(v).

Tamil Meaning : விழுந்துவிட்டது

Synonyms : slip

Antonyms : ascend

Example : “she pitched forward, tumbling down the remaining stairs”

3) retail

Meaning : the sale of goods to the public in relatively small quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale(n)

Synonyms : peddle

Antonyms : acquire

Example : “the retail trade”

4) foresees

Meaning : be aware of beforehand; predict.

Tamil Meaning : நிகழ

Synonyms : discern

Antonyms : neglect

Example : “we did not foresee any difficulties”

5) enduring

Meaning : lasting over a period of time; durable(adj).

Tamil Meaning : நீடித்த

Synonyms : abiding

Antonyms : temporary

Example : “he formed a number of enduring relationships with women”

6) hover

Meaning : remain in one place in the air.(v)

Tamil Meaning : மிதவை

Synonyms : drift

Antonyms : lie

Example : “Army helicopters hovered overhead”

7) bolstered

Meaning : support or strengthen(v).

Tamil Meaning : உயர்த்திப்பிடிக்கின்றன

Synonyms : buoy

Antonyms : decrease

Example : “the fall in interest rates is starting to bolster confidence”

8) cited

Meaning : refer to (a passage, book, or author) as evidence for or justification of an argument or statement, especially in a scholarly work(v).

Tamil Meaning : மேற்கோள்

Synonyms : indicate

Antonyms : conceal

Example : “authors who are highly regarded by their peers tend to be cited”

9) prognosis

Meaning : the likely course of a medical condition(n).

Tamil Meaning : முன்கணிப்பு

Synonyms : diagnosis

Antonyms : measurement

Example : “the disease has a poor prognosis”

10) consumption

Meaning : the action of using up a resource.

Tamil Meaning : நுகர்வு

Synonyms : expenditure

Antonyms : construction

Example : “industrialized countries should reduce their energy consumption”

11) retained

Meaning : continue to have (something); keep possession of.

Tamil Meaning : தக்க

Synonyms : received

Antonyms : extroverted

Example : “Labour retained the seat”

12) opted

Meaning : make a choice from a range of possibilities(v).

Tamil Meaning : தேர்வு

Synonyms : decide

Antonyms : dislike

Example : “consumers will opt for low-priced goods”

13) stance

Meaning : the way in which someone stands, especially when deliberately adopted (as in cricket, golf, and other sports); a person’s posture.

Tamil Meaning : நிலைப்பாடு

Synonyms : attitude

Antonyms : unsteadiness

Example : “she altered her stance, resting all her weight on one leg”

14) remit

Meaning : cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting (a debt or punishment)(v).

Tamil Meaning : துற

Synonyms : consign

Antonyms : keep

Example : “the excess of the sentence over 12 months was remitted”

15) wary

Meaning : feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.

Tamil Meaning : எச்சரிக்கை

Synonyms : attentive

Antonyms : careless

Example : “dogs which have been mistreated often remain very wary of strangers”

16) reckons

Meaning : be of the opinion(v).

Synonyms : surmise

Antonyms : abandon

Example : “he reckons that the army should pull out entirely”

17) perishable

Meaning : (especially of food) likely to decay or go bad quickly(adj).

Tamil Meaning : அழிந்துபடக்கூடிய

Synonyms : decaying

Antonyms : endurance

Example : “the storage of perishable foods”

18) escalate

Meaning : increase rapidly(v).

Tamil Meaning : அதிகரிக்கும்

Synonyms : expand

Antonyms : decline

Example : “the price of tickets escalated”

19) marred

Meaning : impair the quality or appearance of; spoil.(V)

Tamil Meaning : அழிவு

Synonyms : harm

Antonyms : assist

Example : “violence marred a number of New Year celebrations”

20) elevated

Meaning : situated or placed higher than the surrounding area(adj).

Tamil Meaning : உயர்ந்த

Synonyms : exalted

Antonyms : depressed

Example : “this hotel has an elevated position above the village”

21) Verdict

Meaning : a decision on an issue of fact in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.(n)

Tamil Meaning : தீர்ப்பு

Synonyms : decision

Antonyms : accusation

Example : “the jury returned a verdict of not guilty”

22) opportune

Meaning : (of a time) especially convenient or appropriate for a particular action or event(adj).

Tamil Meaning : உகந்த

Synonyms : auspicious

Antonyms : inappropriate

Example : “he couldn’t have arrived at a less opportune moment”

23) prudence

Meaning : the quality of being prudent; cautiousness(n).

Tamil Meaning : மதிநுட்பம்

Synonyms : austerity

Antonyms : ignorance

Example : “we need to exercise prudence in such important matters”

24) Progressive

Meaning : happening or developing gradually or in stages(adj).

Tamil Meaning : முற்போக்கு

Synonyms : continuous

Antonyms : intermittent

Example : “a progressive decline in popularity”

25) meddling

Meaning : interfere in something that is not one’s concern(v).

Tamil Meaning : குறுக்கீடு

Synonyms : interrupting

Antonyms : careless

Example : “I don’t want him meddling in our affairs”

26) owning

Meaning : have (something) as one’s own; possess.(v)

Tamil Meaning : வைத்திருக்கும்

Synonyms : boast

Antonyms : abandon

Example : “his father owns a restaurant”

27) bid

Meaning : offer (a certain price) for something, especially at an auction(v).

Tamil Meaning : முயற்சியில்

Synonyms : offer

Antonyms : denial

Example : “a consortium of dealers bid a world record price for a snuff box”

28) assertion

Meaning : a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief(n).

Tamil Meaning : வலியுறுத்தல்

Synonyms : affirmation

Antonyms : desertion

Example : “his assertion that his father had deserted the family”

29) sovereignty

Meaning : the authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

Synonyms : dominance

Antonyms : submission

Example : “national sovereignty”

30) predictably

Meaning : in a way that can be predicted; as expected.

Tamil Meaning : முன்னூகிக்கூடிய

Synonyms : probably

Antonyms : erratically

Example : “so far the markets have behaved predictably”

31) dispute

Meaning : a disagreement or argument(n).

Tamil Meaning : சர்ச்சை

Synonyms : conflict

Antonyms : accord

Example : “a territorial dispute between the two countries”

32) delicate

Meaning : very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality(adj).

Tamil Meaning : மென்மையானது

Synonyms : delicious

Antonyms : callous

Example : “a delicate lace shawl”

33) precarious

Meaning : dependent on chance; uncertain(adj).

Tamil Meaning : நிலையற்ற

Synonyms : hazardous

Antonyms : strong

Example : “he made a precarious living as a painter”

34) sought

Meaning : attempt to find (something).

Tamil Meaning : முயன்று

Synonyms : desired

Antonyms : unwanted

Example : “they came here to seek shelter from biting winter winds”

35) leverage

Meaning : the exertion of force by means of a lever.

Tamil Meaning : அந்நிய

Synonyms : clout

Antonyms : weakness

Example : “my spade hit something solid that wouldn’t respond to leverage”

36) alleged

Meaning : said, without proof, to have taken place or to have a specified illegal or undesirable quality.

Tamil Meaning : கூறப்படும்

Synonyms : supposed

Antonyms : confirmed

Example : “the alleged conspirators”

37) diplomatic

Meaning : of or concerning diplomacy.

Tamil Meaning : தூதரக

Synonyms : considerate

Antonyms : impolite

Example : “diplomatic relations with Britain were broken”

38) overt

Meaning : done or shown openly; plainly apparent.

Tamil Meaning : வெளிப்படையான

Synonyms : manifest

Antonyms : covert

Example : “an overt act of aggression”

39) clout

Meaning : a heavy blow with the hand or a hard object.(n)

Tamil Meaning : செல்வாக்கை

Synonyms : influence

Antonyms : failure

Example : “a clout round the ear”

40) rivalries

Meaning : competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field(n).

Tamil Meaning : போட்டிகளும்

Synonyms : contests

Antonyms : cooperations

Example : “there always has been intense rivalry between the clubs”

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Aspirants can check the Whole planner of IBPS CLERK Prelims Exam 2018 from the below given link. 

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IBPS CLERK prelims Exam 2018 – Planner 

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THE HINDU EDITORIAL : DECEMBER 5, 2018

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Aspirants can find the other important THE HINDU EDITORIAL topics from the link that is mentioned below, to score more in the English section, THE HINDU EDITORIAL is vital and considered as the best source to learn more. Learning THE HINDU EDITORIAL provides you with an added advantage for the aspirants as this assist in their bank exam preparations.

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Check the other important THE HINDU EDITORIAL from the previous months that are available in our Bankersdaily website through the links that are mentioned below.

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THE HINDU EDITORIAL –  JUNE

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THE HINDU EDITORIAL – JULY 

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Other Important Notification: Released In October 2018

TNPSC Group II Prelims 2018 – Expected Cutoff Marks

ESIC SSO Prelims Score Card 2018 Released

TNSPSC Group II 2018 Answer Key – General English & General Tamil

Canara Bank PO PGDBF Manipal Recruitment 2018 – 800 Vacancies

 

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