The Hindu Editorial : February 28, 2019
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The Hindu Editorial : February 28, 2019
Dear Banking Aspirants,
THE HINDU EDITORIAL – February 28, 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) Calming Arunachal
The polity must foster a civic consciousness to allow equality of opportunity for all residents
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Itanagar has decided not to act on the recommendations of a Joint High Power Committee granting permanent resident certificates (PRCs) to non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes of Namsai and Changlang districts. This decision follows violence in Itanagar, which included arson attacks on the residence of the Deputy Chief Minister. The government took this step to de-escalate tensions despite the fact that both mainstream parties, the Congress and the BJP, were on the same page on the demand to grant the PRCs. The non-APSTs include the Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Mishings, Adivasis and ex-servicemen belonging to the Gorkha community. Successive governments and members of these communities have said PRCs are needed to avail of job and educational opportunities elsewhere in the country, and currently the 26 tribes and numerous sub-tribes who claim to be native to Arunachal Pradesh enjoy this privilege. Members of some of the non-APST communities have been long-time residents of the reconstituted State, and to term them as “outsiders” reflects a chauvinistic mindset that denies a just demand. Previous governments, including one led by the Congress in 2010, had also buckled under pressure on the issue. The indigenous tribes opposing the move say this is one step away from providing Scheduled Tribe status for the non-APSTs, which they vociferously oppose. While this fear is overblown, the award of PRCs could ensure land rights that are otherwise denied to the non-APSTs.
The fact that the opposition to the demand took such a violent turn could be linked to a retaliation to attempts by the members of the non-APSTs to enforce an “economic blockade” of the State from the neighbouring parts of Assam last month. But these incidents suggest that barely any northeastern State is today free of the pattern of ethnic discord marked by some communities being branded “outsiders” and sought to be denied resident privileges. These include the Chakma issue in Mizoram, the hill versus valley disturbances in Manipur, the longstanding “migration” issue in Assam, the attacks on Sikh residents in Meghalaya, and even the Chakma/Hajong citizenship issue in Arunachal Pradesh itself. The pattern through all these is eerily similar, with ethnic identities trumping civic consciousness in bringing about discord that has even escalated into violence in some cases. Arunachal Pradesh has otherwise remained a peaceful State, and it is incumbent on the government and the polity to foster a civic consciousness that allows equality of opportunity for all residents in the State. This is a difficult task as identity issues persist and fester when there is inadequate economic development – which is the real bane of the Northeast today.
B) Buhari’s return: on Nigeria elections
The Nigerian President’s re-election has raised hopes for economic reform
In handing President Muhammadu Buhari a huge overall margin in the polls, Nigeria has plumped for political continuity. In an election that had been postponed by a week, the anti-corruption crusader romped home with enough votes to avoid a run-off. In what had been set up as a close contest, Mr. Buhari, who heads the ruling All Progressives Congress, beat former vice-president Atiku Abubakar by about four million votes. The rumblings in the Opposition about vote-rigging by the ruling party may continue to be heard for a while, given the widespread delays and irregularities at polling booths, apart from incidents of violence and several fatalities. But some poll observers believe that the Opposition’s claims are not backed by sufficient proof to make them legally sustainable. The question now is whether Mr. Buhari can convert his convincing mandate for a second term into policies that can boost investment and growth, generate jobs and narrow inequalities. The challenge of unemployment, at over 20% according to official figures, is made more formidable by the rapid increase in the working-age population. The prospects for change hinge on whether Mr. Buhari can live down his reputation as an old-fashioned interventionist leader and open the economy to competition. A test case of that makeover would be the passage of oil sector reform legislation aimed at the privatisation of the state-owned petroleum firm. Mr. Buhari’s record in countering the Islamist Boko Haram in the north of the country and the conflict between herdsmen and farmers in the central region remain unfinished business. On the external front, of particular interest to investors would be the new Nigerian government’s stance on joining the African free-trade agreement. Equally crucial would be Abuja’s backing for Morocco’s membership of the Economic Community of West African States, the 15-nation trading bloc.
Exactly 20 years since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999, Nigerians have decisively left behind the uncertainties of repeated military coups that marred their immediate post-colonial history. Equally significant, recent elections suggest limited progress in the conduct of transparent elections compared to the previous decade. But the postponement of the poll by a week, just hours before voters were to cast their ballot, did not inspire confidence. In 2015, the delay was as much as six weeks. Moreover, the large number of poll-related deaths in the last few days points to a disturbing absence of official accountability. A peaceful election is one of the crucial indicators of a credible transfer of power through the ballot. Calm must return in Abuja and the ruling party and the Opposition have a duty to respect the rule of law. Among sub-Saharan Africa’s largest countries, Nigeria should strive to clean up its act.
VOCABULARY
1) escalate
Meaning : make or become more intense or serious(v).
Tamil Meaning : அதிகரிக்கும்
Synonyms : expand
Antonyms : decline
Example : “the disturbance escalated into a full-scale riot”
2) 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”
3) claim
Meaning : state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof(v).
Synonyms : allegation
Antonyms : reply
Example : “the Prime Minister claimed that he was concerned about Third World debt”
4) privilege
Meaning : a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group(n).
Tamil Meaning : சலுகை
Synonyms : authorization
Antonyms : handicap
Example : “education is a right, not a privilege”
5) denies
Meaning : state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of(v).
Tamil Meaning : மறுக்கிறார்
Synonyms : rebuff
Antonyms : accept
Example : “both firms deny any responsibility for the tragedy”
6) indigenous
Meaning : originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native(adj).
Synonyms : endemic
Antonyms : alien
Example : “the indigenous peoples of Siberia”
7) vociferously
Meaning : in a loud and forceful manner.
Synonyms : powerfully
Antonyms : inaudibly
Example : “the country vociferously opposed the war”
8) ensure
Meaning : make certain that (something) will occur or be the case(v).
Tamil Meaning : உறுதி
Synonyms : assure
Antonyms : endanger
Example : “the client must ensure that accurate records are kept”
9) retaliation
Meaning : the action of returning a military attack; counter-attack(n).
Synonyms : reprisal
Antonyms : pardon
Example : “the bombings are believed to be in retaliation for the trial of 15 suspects”
10) enforce
Meaning : compel observance of or compliance with (a law, rule, or obligation).
Tamil Meaning : செயல்படுத்த
Synonyms : implement
Antonyms : cease
Example : “the role of the police is to enforce the law”
11) barely
Meaning : only just; almost not(adv).
Tamil Meaning : அரிதாகவே
Synonyms : scarcely
Example : “she nodded, barely able to speak”
12) ethnic
Meaning : relating to a population subgroup (within a larger or dominant national or cultural group) with a common national or cultural tradition(adj).
Synonyms : traditional
Example : “ethnic and cultural rights and traditions”
13) discord
Meaning : disagreement between people.
Synonyms : disharmony
Antonyms : accord
Example : “a prosperous family who showed no signs of discord”
14) sought
Meaning : attempt or desire to obtain or achieve (something)(v).
Synonyms : desired
Example : “the new regime sought his extradition”
15) eerily
Meaning : in a strange and frightening manner(adv).
Synonyms : creepily
Antonyms : ordinarily
Example : “their footsteps echoed eerily”
16) incumbent
Meaning : necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility(adj).
Tamil Meaning : பதவியில்
Synonyms : binding
Antonyms : unnecessary
Example : “the government realized that it was incumbent on them to act”
17) persist
Meaning : continue in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition(v).
Tamil Meaning : தொடர்ந்து
Synonyms : endure
Antonyms : cease
Example : “the minority of drivers who persist in drinking”
18) fester
Meaning : (of a wound or sore) become septic; suppurate(v).
Synonyms : aggravate
Antonyms : delight
Example : “I developed a tropical sore that festered badly”
19) plumped
Meaning : shake or pat (a cushion or pillow) to adjust its stuffing and make it rounded and soft(v).
Synonyms : drop
Example : “she plumped up her pillows”
20) crusader
Meaning : a person who campaigns vigorously for political, social, or religious change; a campaigner(n).
Synonyms : agitator
Example : “crusaders for early detection and treatment of mental illnesses”
21) romped
Meaning : (especially of a child or animal) play roughly and energetically(v).
Synonyms : cavort
Example : “the noisy pack of children romped around the gardens”
22) Progressives
Meaning : an advocate of social reform(n).
Tamil Meaning : முன்னேற்ற
Synonyms : anarchist
Antonyms : conservative
Example : “people tend to present themselves either as progressives or traditionalists on this issue”
23) contest
Meaning : engage in competition to attain (a position of power)(v).
Synonyms : discussion
Antonyms : peace
Example : “she declared her intention to contest the presidency”
24) rigging
Meaning : the system of ropes or chains employed to support a ship’s masts ( standing rigging ) and to control or set the yards and sails ( running rigging )(n).
Synonyms : equipment
Example : “I’m listening to the wind in the rigging”
25) rumblings
Meaning : a continuous deep, resonant sound(n).
Synonyms : barrage
Antonyms : quiet
Example : “the rumbling of wheels in the distance”
26) sustainable
Meaning : able to be maintained at a certain rate or level(adj).
Synonyms : continual
Antonyms : untenable
Example : “sustainable economic growth”
27) formidable
Meaning : inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.
Synonyms : daunting
Antonyms : calm
Example : “a formidable opponent”
28) hinge
Meaning : attach or join with or as if with a hinge.
Synonyms : hook
Example : “the ironing board was set into the wall and hinged at the bottom “
29) conflict
Meaning : be incompatible or at variance; clash(v).
Tamil Meaning : மோதல்
Synonyms : clash
Antonyms : peace
Example : “parents’ and children’s interests sometimes conflict”
30) stance
Meaning : the way in which someone stands, especially when deliberately adopted (as in cricket, golf, and other sports); a person’s posture.(n)
Synonyms : posture
Example : “she altered her stance, resting all her weight on one leg”
31) decisively
Meaning : in a manner that settles an issue convincingly or produces a definite result(adv).
Synonyms : definitely
Antonyms : dubiously
Example : “I want the person who wins the election to win decisively”
32) marred
Meaning : impair the quality or appearance of; spoil(v).
Synonyms : bruise
Antonyms : assist
Example : “violence marred a number of New Year celebrations”
33) inspire
Meaning : fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative(v).
Synonyms : affect
Antonyms : calm
Example : “his philosophy inspired a later generation of environmentalists”
34) indicators
Meaning : a thing that indicates the state or level of something(n).
Synonyms : gauge
Example : “car ownership is frequently used as an indicator of affluence”
35) strive
Meaning : make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
Synonyms : seek
Antonyms : neglect
Example : “national movements were striving for independence”
THE HINDU EDITORIAL : FEBRUARY 25, 2019
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