THE HINDU

EDITORIAL Presents

8th December 2023

PREPARE FOR BANK (PO/ CLERK), SSC,UPSC,

State PSC, CAT,CTET,RAILWAY EXAMS,CDS,
TET, NDA/AIRFORCE, NET and all Govt. Exams
 VOCABULARY

1. Heralded: was a sign that something was going to

happen. घोषणा करना
Synonyms: augured, presaged
Antonyms: concealed, obscured
Example: The discovery of the ancient artifact
heralded a new era of archaeological research.
2. Deterred: prevented or discouraged someone
from doing something. रोकना
Synonyms: dissuaded, inhibited
Antonyms: persuaded, encouraged
Example: The heavy rain deterred me from going
for a walk in the park.
 VOCABULARY

3. Arbitrary: based on a desire or idea or

chance rather than reason. मनमाना
Synonyms: random, discretionary
Antonyms: methodical, orderly
Example: The rules of the game felt arbitrary,
leading to confusion among the players.
4. Alienated: made someone feel that they
were different and not part of a group. पराया
करना
Synonyms: estranged, isolated
Antonyms: reconciled, united
Example: When no one picked her for the
team, Maya sensed she was alienated.
 VOCABULARY

5. Glaring: very easily seen. अितस्पष्ट

Synonyms: obvious, blatant
Antonyms: ambiguous, inconspicuous
Example: The difference in their opinions was
glaring during the meeting.
6. Razed: completely destroyed a city, building,
etc. नष्ट करना
Synonyms: decimated, ruined
Antonyms: restored, preserved
Example: A wildfire can quickly raze entire
forests, causing widespread destruction.
 VOCABULARY

7. Mounting: gradually increasing. बढ़ता हुआ

Synonyms: escalating, burgeoning
Antonyms: dwindling, plummeting
Example: The mounting pressure at work
motivated Emily to take a short break and
relax.
8. Unfazed: not worried or surprised by
something unexpected that happens. बेिफक्र
Synonyms: composed, unperturbed
Antonyms: anxious, frantic
Example: Even in the face of criticism, he
remained unfazed, confident in his decision.
 VOCABULARY

9. Imperative: extremely important or urgent. आत्यावश्यक

Synonyms: crucial, indispensable
Antonyms: trivial, optional
Example: In emergency situations, following safety
protocols is imperative.
Word of foreign origin
10. Fait accompli: something that has already happened or
been done and cannot be changed.
Idiom
11. Set the stage: to make it possible for something else to
happen.
 VOCABULARY

Phrasal verbs
12. Hived off: broke away from or as if from a
group; became separated.
13. Call for: to demand that something happens.
Phrase
14. Chilling effect: If something such as a law,
rule, or action has a chilling effect, it tends to
discourage discussion, limit freedom, or cause
some other harm.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for reading

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 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

It has been more than five and a half years since an

elected government collapsed and Governor’s rule was
imposed in Jammu & Kashmir amidst the suspension of
the elected Assembly — a step that heralded dramatic
changes in the erstwhile State. Subsequently, Article 370
that provided for special status for the erstwhile State
was removed, the State bifurcated with the region
encompassing Jammu and the Kashmir Valley made into
a new Union Territory and Ladakh hived off into another.
The constitutionality of these changes is still under
question and the Supreme Court has reserved its verdict
on it. But this has not deterred the Union government
from bringing about legislation that will change the make-
up of the UT’s prospective Legislative Assembly beyond
the completion of the delimitation exercise.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed the Jammu and

Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the
Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill,
2023. These Bills do not necessarily bring about any
significant change. The first increases the total number
of Assembly seats from 107 to 114, with reservation of
nine seats for Scheduled Tribes (a first), besides
empowering the Lieutenant-Governor to effect some
nominations. The second seeks to replace the term
“weak and underprivileged classes (social castes)” in
the J&K Reservation Act, 2004, enacted by the State
legislature, to “Other Backward Classes” as declared by
the UT.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Propriety would have demanded that even these

changes could have waited for the Supreme Court’s
verdict, which is due soon, on the legality of the
abrogation of special status besides the bifurcation
of the erstwhile State and the procedure adopted to
do so. Without the involvement of elected
representatives from J&K in the process, the
changes proposed in the Lok Sabha would only
seem to be acts that are presented as fait accompli
to the UT’s citizens.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

This should also be taken together with the fact that

the last five and a half years have seen the
suspension of political and civil liberties of
politicians; arbitrary arrests and detentions;
communication shutdowns; a chilling effect on the
media; and, more recently, long power cuts. Any
change to the political life of J&K, citing its status
as a region affected by separatism and terrorism,
should not be done in a way that the citizens feel
alienated. The first order of business in J&K has to
be the restoration of the democratic process by
holding popular elections and the restoration of its
Statehood.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

This should help not just fill a glaring void in public

life in the region in the immediate but also set the
stage for addressing the long-pending issues that
have led to the persistence of militancy.
Summary:

The article discusses recent legislative changes in Jammu & Kashmir, including
the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023
and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Despite the
Supreme Court’s pending verdict on the constitutional aspects of the region’s
reorganization, the government proceeded with these changes. The bills
increase the Assembly seats, introduce reservations, and replace terminology in
the reservation act. The author emphasizes the need for democratic restoration
through elections, addressing civil liberties concerns, and reinstating statehood
to bridge the gap between the government and citizens in the region.

The tone of the passage is critical and concerned.

 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for Skimming

Gaza in flames
Israel should not be
allowed to extend and
expand the war against
Palestinians
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Two months after Israel launched its attack on Gaza following

Hamas’s October 7 cross-border raid in which some 1,200 Israelis
were killed, the tiny Palestinian enclave, with razed buildings, a
maze of rubble and unprecedented human suffering, looks
battered beyond repair. But the war is far from over. Over 1.7
million of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been forced out of their
homes; some 16,000 Palestinians have been killed, and tens of
thousands more wounded. Israel has taken over parts of northern
Gaza and pushed its population towards the south. And now, the
Israeli forces are expanding the offensive towards the south,
particularly targeting Khan Younis, a city of 4,00,000 people in
normal times that has seen its population more than double since
the war.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The widening offensive has displaced more Gazans who are

now forced into a sliver of territory in Rafah, on the Egyptian
border. Israel, which has witnessed mounting international
criticism, seems unfazed by the unfolding humanitarian
tragedy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will
continue the war until its goals are met — primarily the
dismantling of Hamas. When Israel stormed the al-Shifa
hospital in northern Gaza, its claim was that aHamas
command centre was located in underground bunkers.
Weeks after raiding the enclave’s largest medical facility,
Israel is yet to provide any proof that it was a command
centre. Now, the IDF claims that top Hamas leaders, including
Yahya Sinwar, are based in southern Gaza. The world did
nothing when Israel turned northern Gaza into what the UN
called a “graveyard of children”.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

It should not be allowed to repeat the same in the south. The

war has already exposed tensions in America’s support for
Israel’s war. Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to
Israel last week and reportedly told the war cabinet that the
conflict should end in days not in months. Secretary of
Defence Lloyd Austin warned Israel against civilian
casualties, saying “if you drive civilians into the arms of the
enemy, you replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat”.
But these warnings are not enough. The U.S. continues to
send aid to Israel and President Joe Biden still refuses to call
for a ceasefire. The violence has already triggered regional
tensions with Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel and the
latter retaliating, and the Houthis of Yemen launching drones
and missiles towards Israel, which are mostly being
intercepted by American systems.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

An end to the violence in Gaza has become imperative for

regional stability. Israel is unlikely to pause the offensive on
its own. But the U.S. and other major regional powers should
press Israel and Hamas to restart negotiations to find a
lasting ceasefire and the release of hostages.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Today's Descriptive Question

Write an essay of 200 words discussing how we can

make agriculture more environmentally sustainable.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

To enhance environmental sustainability in agriculture,

employing regenerative practices is crucial. First, adopting
precision farming techniques minimizes resource use by
precisely applying inputs, reducing waste. Crop rotation and
polyculture promote biodiversity, preventing soil degradation
and enhancing resilience against pests.

Implementing agroforestry systems integrates trees with crops,

fostering ecological balance and soil health. Efficient water
management through drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting
conserves water resources. Embracing organic farming practices
reduces reliance on synthetic chemicals, preserving soil fertility
and safeguarding water quality.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Furthermore, promoting sustainable livestock practices, such

as rotational grazing, curtails overgrazing and maintains
healthy pasture ecosystems. Lastly, fostering community-
supported agriculture initiatives strengthens local food
systems, reducing transportation-related emissions. By
integrating these strategies, agriculture can evolve into a
sustainable and resilient system, harmonizing with the
environment while ensuring long-term food security.
Please write a letter to the manager of a bank, requesting details about the
options of investment provided by the bank.

[Your Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
Date
The Manager
[Bank Name]
[branch Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
Subject: Inquiry Regarding Investment Options
Dear Sir/ Ma’am
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inquire about the various
investment options your bank offers. As a customer interested in making
informed financial decisions, I would appreciate detailed information on the
types of investments available, their associated risks and returns, as well as any
special promotions or offers.
Additionally, if there are any upcoming financial planning seminars or
consultations, I would be keen to attend. Your assistance in providing
comprehensive details will assist me in making well-informed investment
choices.
Thank you for your time and consideration..
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Match the words with their meanings.

Column A Column B

Fervour very strong feelings about something

Persist the state of being unable to make a decision about

doing something

Spate to continue to exist

Dithering to officially establish a rule, or to officially say

how something should be done

Lay down an unusually large number of events that happen

suddenly and at about the same time
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

VOCABULARY FOR ALL

1. Heralded:
2. Deterred:
3. Arbitrary:
4. Alienated:
5. Glaring:
6. Razed:
7. Mounting:
8. Unfazed:
9. Imperative:
10. Call for:
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CONTENT - NIMISHA
BANSAL