THE HINDU

EDITORIAL Presents

14th September 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. Surfaced: suddenly appeared or became obvious after having

been hidden for a while. प्रकट होना
Synonyms: emerged, materialised
Antonyms: dissipated, faded
Example: As I cleaned the attic, old memories surfaced with each
forgotten item.
2. Porous: not protected enough to stop people going through.
सुराखदार
Synonyms: permeable, pregnable
Antonyms: impervious, impenetrable
Example: The porous border allowed for easy movement
between the two countries.
 VOCABULARY

3. Vigil: a period of watchfulness or observance. चौकसी

Synonyms: vigilance, surveillance
Antonyms: heedlessness, negligence
Example: As a guardian of the forest, he kept a constant vigil
against illegal logging activities.
4. Mount: to organise and begin something. आयोिजत करना
Synonyms: orchestrate, initiate
Antonyms: disorganise, disperse
Example: They planned to mount an expedition to explore the
uncharted forest.
 VOCABULARY

5. Succour: help given to someone, especially someone who is

suffering or in need. सहायता
Synonyms: comfort, solace
Antonyms: hindrance, misery
Example: In times of sorrow, friends often provide emotional
succour and comfort.
6. Anchor: to secure something firmly in position. ठहराना
Synonyms: secure, affix
Antonyms: dislodge, uproot
Example: They decided to anchor their relationship with a
commitment ceremony.
 VOCABULARY

7. Outlook: the likely future situation. संभावना

Synonyms: prospect, prognosis
Antonyms: hindsight, ignorance
Example: The company's financial outlook improved after a
successful quarter.
8. Tangible: real and not imaginary; able to be shown, touched,
or experienced. वास्तिवक
Synonyms: substantial, actual
Antonyms: abstract, fictitious
Example: The success of the project was tangible, with visible
improvements in efficiency.
 VOCABULARY

9. Anomalies: things, situations, etc. that is different from what is

normal or expected. िवसंगित
Synonyms: oddity, aberration
Antonyms: conformity, standard
Example: The sudden drop in temperature today was an anomaly
for this time of year.
10. Overshoot: to go further than the end of or past something,
without intending to. पार कर जाना
Synonyms: surpass, exceed
Antonyms: subceed, fall short of
Example: Be careful not to overshoot the recommended dosage
of medication.
 VOCABULARY

Phrase
11. Can ill-afford: to be unable to do (something) without having
problems or being seriously harmed.

Idioms
12. Wreaking havoc: causing great damage.
13. Silver lining: something good that can be found in a bad
situation.
14. Drop their guard: to stop being cautious about potential trouble
or danger.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for reading

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 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Lightning is unlikely to strike the same place twice, but the

Nipah virus is again wreaking havoc in Kozhikode, the fourth
outbreak of the disease in Kerala over the last five years.
Caused by a zoonotic spillover, the transmission of pathogens
from animals to humans, the closest reservoir of the virus is
fruit bats. With two persons dying of Nipah this week in
Kozhikode, and three more persons, two of them relatives of
one of the victims, testing positive, and being hospitalised,
disturbing memories from the terrifying outbreak of 2018, in
which 21 of 23 infected people died, have surfaced. The
situation remains very much the same, in terms of treatment
options: there is no cure, and supportive care remains the only
way to handle Nipah infection even in a hospital setting.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George said hundreds of

people on the contact list of the deceased had been put under
medical observation. One of them, a nine-year-old child, is on
ventilator support. A control room has been opened in
Kozhikode to monitor the situation, and all the hospitals in
the district would be asked to follow infection control
protocols. Sixteen teams have been formed to take forward
appropriate containment protocols. A central team has also
been sent to Kerala to assist the State government.
Neighbouring States have taken preparatory steps to ensure
that porous borders do not bring the infection across from
Kerala. The State’s Chief Minister assured the people via a
video message that the State was taking the issue very
seriously.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

While experiences from the prior outbreaks (2018, 2019, 2021)

have given medical teams a toolkit of protocols, across the
sectors — management, isolation, containment, and
treatment — constant vigil can be the only guard against
such outbreaks. The biggest lesson though, from global
outbreaks, is likely unlearnt yet. Research has shown that
anthropogenic activity has a definite hand to play in zoonotic
spillovers. In the case of Nipah, rapid expansion of
agricultural activity in original habitat zones of the fruit bats
has repeatedly shown up on post-factor analyses. As
governments mount strategic efforts to control outbreaks and
deaths due to infectious diseases, it is increasingly clear that
the State needs to initiate a One Health approach on the way
forward.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a deeper appreciation of

the One Health concept, which is an integrated, unifying
approach to balancing and optimising the health of people,
animals and the environment, with the conviction that
humans live in symbiosis and that the health of one impacts
that of another significantly.
Summary:

The passage discusses the recurring outbreaks of the Nipah virus in Kerala,
with the fourth occurrence in five years. The virus, originating from fruit bats
through zoonotic spillover, has caused fatalities. Treatment options remain
limited, and strict containment measures are in place. Kerala's government is
actively monitoring and responding to the situation, with neighboring states
taking precautions. The passage emphasizes the need for a "One Health"
approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and
environmental health, particularly in light of past anthropogenic factors
contributing to zoonotic spillovers. This approach has gained significance in the
context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tone of the passage appears to be informative and concerned.

 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for skimming

Little succour
Any failure to anchor
inflation will add to the
risks to growth
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the NSO, which
shows an easing in the pace of price gains from July’s 15-month
high, provides little assurance that retail inflation has actually
begun to come under control. While the headline year-on-year
pace of inflation decelerated slightly in August to 6.83%, gains in
food prices, measured by the Consumer Food Price Index, still
hovered uncomfortably close to 10%. And urban consumers, in
fact, faced food price inflation of 10.4%. Eleven of the 12 items on
the heavyweight food and beverages group of the CPI logged
price increases, with oils and fats, the sole item logging a year-on-
year decline in prices, posting its first sequential increase in nine
months.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Vegetables, however, provided the silver lining to a still

clouded outlook for food prices with tomato leading an
appreciable month-on-month deflation of 5.88% in the 19-
member basket. Still, the cooking staples of potatoes and
onions were among the seven items that continued to log
sequential inflation (2.3% and 12.3%, respectively), ensuring
that policymakers can ill-afford to drop their guard over
politically sensitive vegetable prices. The Centre’s imposition
last month of a 40% export duty on overseas shipments of
the bulb till December 31, a clear sign that it is quite
concerned about the continuing uptrend in onion prices, is
yet to make much of a tangible impact.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Consumer Affairs Department data show the all-India average

retail price of onion on September 13 at ₹33.39 a kilogram
was still 8.7% higher than ₹30.72 on August 19, when the
government announced the duty. The near-term outlook for
inflation is also made more uncertain by other factors
including a distinct deficit in monsoon rainfall. Besides the
overall 10% shortfall, sharp regional and temporal anomalies
in rain distribution have impacted either the sowing or the
quality of produce of several farm items. Kharif sowing of
pulses had, as on September 8, recorded an 8.6% shortfall
compared with the year-earlier period. Another inflation
driver, crude oil, has also seen a steady rise in prices as the
output cuts by major oil producers of the OPEC+ grouping
start to bite.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The price of India’s crude basket had, as on September 12,

climbed 7.2% from the average in August to $92.65/barrel,
according to official data. For the RBI, the latest inflation data
further roils its interest rate calculus. Unless CPI inflation
decelerates by an incredible 250 basis points in September to
a 4.33% pace, price gains are certain to substantially
overshoot the monetary authority’s 6.2% forecast for the
July-September quarter, leaving it with few real options in
order to achieve its medium-term price stability goal of 4%
inflation. As the RBI has been at pains to stress, failure to
anchor inflation expectations risks hurting growth.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Today's Descriptive Question

Write an essay of 200 words highlighting the

importance of biofuels in a world where EVs are seen
as the future of transportation.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

In a world where electric vehicles (EVs) are touted as the

future of transportation, the importance of biofuels should
not be underestimated. While EVs offer undeniable benefits
in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on
fossil fuels, biofuels play a complementary and crucial role in
achieving a sustainable and diversified energy mix.

First, biofuels provide a bridge to a greener future, especially

in sectors where electrification is challenging, such as
aviation and long-haul shipping. These bio-based
alternatives can significantly reduce emissions compared to
conventional fossil fuels. Additionally, biofuels can be easily
integrated into existing infrastructure, making them a
practical choice for immediate emissions reduction.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Moreover, biofuels contribute to agricultural economies by

creating markets for bioenergy crops, which can enhance
rural development and job opportunities. They also reduce
the carbon footprint of transportation in a way that does not
rely on a complete overhaul of infrastructure, thus offering a
more gradual transition.

In conclusion, biofuels remain indispensable in the pursuit of

sustainable transportation, working hand-in-hand with EVs
to reduce emissions, support rural economies, and provide
flexibility in sectors where electrification is challenging. A
diversified approach that includes biofuels is essential to
address the multifaceted challenges of decarbonizing the
transport sector.
Please write a letter to the manager of a bank, complaining about the unending
promotional calls made on your number.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
[Date]
Date
[Bank Name]
[branch Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
Subject: Complaint regarding nonstop promotional calls
Dear Sir/ Ma’am
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the
incessant promotional calls I have been receiving from your bank on my registered phone
number.

While I appreciate your efforts to inform customers about your products and services, the
frequency and persistence of these calls have become intrusive and disruptive to my daily life.

I kindly request that you review and revise your promotional call policy to ensure a more
considerate approach. This will not only enhance the customer experience but also align with
data protection regulations.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Match the words with their meanings.

Column A Column B

Contestation complicated and difficult to solve

Knotty the act of arguing or disagreeing about something

Grave the responsibility or duty to do something

Onus an example of dishonest and illegal behaviour,

especially by a person in authority

Malfeasance very serious and important; giving you a reason to

feel worried
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

VOCABULARY FOR ALL

1. Surfaced:
2. Porous:
3. Vigil:
4. Mount:
5. Succour:
6. Anchor:
7. Outlook:
8. Tangible:
9. Anomalies:
10. Overshoot:
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CONTENT - NIMISHA
BANSAL