The Hindu
EDITORIAL ANALYSIS Presents
18th MAY 2024
PREPARE FOR BANK (PO/ CLERK), SSC,UPSC,
State PSC, CAT,CTET,RAILWAY EXAMS,CDS,
TET, NDA/AIRFORCE, NET and all Govt.
Exams
VOCABULARY
1. Sanctions (प्र तबं ध )
Meaning: Penalties or other means of enforcement used to provide
incentives for obedience with the law.
Synonyms: Penalties, restrictions, embargoes, bans.
Antonyms: Permissions, approvals, endorsements, allowances.
Example: The sanctions imposed by the international community
severely affected the country's economy.
2. Carve-out (छूट)
Meaning: A portion of something, often granted as an exemption.
Synonyms: Exemption, exclusion, exception, dispensation.
Antonyms: Inclusion, entirety, incorporation, totality.
Example: The company received a carve-out from the new regulations,
allowing it to continue its operations without interruption.
VOCABULARY
3. Disconnect (असं ग त )
Meaning: A lack of connection or coherence.
Synonyms: Disjunction, separation, division, disparity.
Antonyms: Connection, coherence, integration, unity.
Example: There is a noticeable disconnect between the promises
made by politicians and their actions.
4. Rhetoric (अलं कार )
Meaning: The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing.
Synonyms: Oratory, eloquence, discourse, speech.
Antonyms: Silence, inarticulateness, muteness.
Example: The politician's rhetoric was aimed at winning over the
undecided voters.
VOCABULARY
5. Vituperation (गाली -गलौज )
Meaning: Bitter and abusive language.
Synonyms: Invective, abuse, diatribe, condemnation.
Antonyms: Praise, compliment, commendation, approval.
Example: The debate turned into a session of vituperation rather than
a constructive discussion.
6. Foment (उकसाना )
Meaning: Instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or
course of action).
Synonyms: Incite, provoke, agitate, instigate.
Antonyms: Quell, suppress, pacify.
Example: The agitators tried to foment unrest among the workers.
VOCABULARY
7. Unilateral (एकतरफा )
Meaning: Performed by or affecting only one person, group, or
country involved in a situation without the agreement of others.
Synonyms: One-sided, independent, autonomous, solo.
Antonyms: Bilateral, multilateral, mutual, collective.
Example: The country's unilateral decision to impose tariffs led to
strained international relations.
8. Implementation ( क्रियान्वयन )
Meaning: The process of putting a decision or plan into effect.
Synonyms: Execution, enforcement, application, administration.
Antonyms: Neglect, abandonment, cessation, omission.
Example: Successful implementation of the policy requires
cooperation from all departments.
VOCABULARY
9. Lynchpin (प्रमु ख आधार )
Meaning: A person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization.
Synonyms: Key element, cornerstone, pillar, foundation.
Antonyms: Peripheral, unimportant, nonessential, minor.
Example: Effective communication is the lynchpin of a successful team
10. Shrill (तीखा )
Meaning: High-pitched and piercing; often used to describe an
unpleasantly strong or loud sound or voice.
Synonyms: Piercing, screeching, strident, sharp.
Antonyms: Mellow, soft, gentle, soothing.
Example: The shrill tone of the alarm woke everyone up in the middle of
the night.
VOCABULARY
Idioms and Phrases
1. Rake up
Meaning: To bring up old problems or memories.
2. Stand to benefit
Meaning: To be in a position where one is likely to gain something.
3. Reach the end point
Meaning: To get to the final stage of a process or activity.
VOCABULARY
4. Dog whistle
Meaning: A subtly aimed political message that only a particular
group of people will understand.
5. Take off
Meaning: To begin to be successful or popular.
Article for reading
Stay invested: on
Chabahar and
India-Iran ties
By signing a 10-year agreement with Iran to develop and
operate the Chabahar port, India has taken its
infrastructure and trade partnership with the Islamic
Republic to the next level despite tensions in West Asia.
India will invest $120 million and offer a credit facility of
$250 million to further develop the terminal it operates in
Chabahar’s Shahid Beheshti port and related projects.
However, after the deal was signed, the U.S. State
Department said entities considering business deals with
Iran “need to be aware that they are opening themselves up
to and the potential risk of sanctions”. In the past,
American sanctions on Iran had delayed the project.
Conceived in 2003, the project did not take off for years
after the U.S. and the UN imposed sanctions on Tehran
over its nuclear programme. India signed a memorandum
of understanding in 2015 after Washington eased
sanctions on Iran following that year’s nuclear agreement,
and in 2016, the contract was executed during Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s Iran visit. The U.S.’s unilateral
withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposition
of sanctions on Iran raised questions on India’s continued
cooperation with Tehran. But India managed to win a
carve-out from U.S. sanctions that allowed it to operate the
port through ad hoc measures.The Chabahar port is
critical for India’s connectivity plans. First, it offers an
alternative route to Afghanistan and Central Asia by
bypassing Pakistan, allowing better trade with Central
Asia. And, Chabahar is expected to be connected to the
International North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC),
bringing India closer to Europe through Iran, Azerbaijan
and Russia. An alternative to the Suez route, a fully
operational NSTC would reduce the time and money spent
on intercontinental trade. The port, roughly 200 km from
Pakistan’s Gwadar, where China is developing a port as
part of its BRI, would also help India expand its
geopolitical influence in Central Asia. But the U.S. seems
to have taken a narrow view of the project over its hostility
with Iran. America’s interests in the region have also
changed. In 2018, when U.S. forces were backing the
Islamic Republic government in Afghanistan, it gave a
sanctions waiver to India as Kabul also stood to benefit
from the port project. Today, U.S. troops are out of
Afghanistan, the Taliban has replaced the Islamic
Republic, and the U.S.’s focus is on containing Iran. India,
in the past, had taken U-turns in its Iran engagement
depending on the policy changes in Washington DC. It
should not do that any more. It should stay invested in
Chabahar and seek to improve its trade and connectivity
projects with Central Asia, which is essential for India’s
continued rise.
Summary
India has signed a 10-year agreement with Iran to develop and operate the
Chabahar port, marking a significant step in their infrastructure and trade
partnership despite regional tensions and potential U.S. sanctions. India
will invest $120 million and provide a $250 million credit facility for the
project. The Chabahar port is crucial for India as it offers an alternative
trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan, and
could be linked to the International North-South Transport Corridor
(NSTC), enhancing connectivity to Europe. Despite previous delays due to
American sanctions, India secured exemptions to continue its
involvement. The U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and its
reimposition of sanctions have complicated India's position, but India is
advised to maintain its investment in Chabahar to boost its geopolitical
influence and trade routes in Central Asia, regardless of shifting U.S.
policies.
The tone of the passage is analytical and assertive. It
critically examines the geopolitical implications of India's
agreement with Iran, emphasizing the strategic importance
of the Chabahar port for India's trade and connectivity. The
passage advocates for India's continued commitment to
the project despite potential U.S. opposition.
Reading Comprehension
Based on the above passage, answer the following questions:
Question 1
What is the primary significance of the Chabahar port for India's
connectivity plans according to the passage?
A) It serves as a primary port for India's exports to Europe.
B) It offers a route to bypass Pakistan for trade with Afghanistan
and Central Asia.
C) It functions as India's main port for oil imports from Iran.
D) It allows India to directly trade with Russia without any
intermediaries.
E) None of the above.
Question 2
What historical factors delayed the Chabahar port project as
mentioned in the passage?
A) Political instability in Iran and Afghanistan.
B) Financial constraints faced by the Indian government.
C) American and UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear
programme.
D) Technical and engineering challenges at the port site.
E) None of the above
Question 3
How has the U.S. stance on the Chabahar port project evolved
over time, according to the passage?
A) Initially supportive, then completely opposed due to new
strategic interests.
B) Consistently supportive as long as the project benefits
Afghanistan.
C) Initially indifferent, later providing full support for the project.
D) Initially opposed, then provided a sanctions waiver, but later
reverted to opposition.
E) None of the above
Article for Skimming
Dangers of
divisiveness: on the
electoral rhetoric, from
the top level
With polling over in 379 of the 543 constituencies after the
fourth phase in the general election, the electoral
campaigns of parties have reached closer to the end point.
Deep into the campaign calendar, though, the disconnect
between the concerns of the electorate and campaign
rhetoric — especially that of BJP lynchpin and Prime
Minister Narendra Modi — remains, unfortunately, intact.
While job creation, inflation and development have been
emphasised by voters as primary issues, Mr. Modi refuses
to be driven by the idea of contesting mainly on his
government’s record over 10 years of rule and focusing on
measures to ameliorate the main concerns. Instead, he
seeks to do what he has always revelled in — attacking the
Opposition with truths, half-truths, and non sequiturs. Mr.
Modi’s recourse to this is also helped by the shrill
noise of television and social media being a useful tool to
distract from concerns with the rhetoric that he has used, be it
hate speech against Muslims or dog whistles to rev up
support from Hindutva adherents. Other parties, including the
Congress and its public face, Rahul Gandhi, are also — even if
not to the same extent — guilty of raking up identity issues
such as those related to caste politics. But Mr. Modi and some
of his colleagues have taken vituperation as a campaigning
device to new levels. In his rally in Jaunpur, he accused the
Opposition in Uttar Pradesh, the SP and the Congress, of
silence when their southern allies used “absurd and abusive
language” for the people of U.P. and “sanatana dharma”.
Some of the northern parties in the INDIA bloc have publicly
disagreed with DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s comments on
“sanatana dharma” while emphasising their stances on social
justice and taking on the issue of caste hierarchy.
There is more that unites the politics of federalism and social
justice espoused by these parties than what divides them —
questions related to linguistic nationalism such as the need for
English as a link language — but that is to be expected from
coalitions made up of different political parties. Mr. Modi should
focus on the differences in emphasis on how to tackle
socio-economic issues between the BJP and the INDIA bloc.
But, instead, his use of half-truths as a weapon to rile the Hindi
heartland against southern parties is problematic, at a time
when there is greater north-south economic integration, with
working class citizens from the north migrating to the south for
employment. Recently, the BJP inducted Manish Kashyap, a
YouTube content creator who had been jailed in Tamil Nadu for
spreading false news about Bihari migrants being attacked in
the State. Such actions could foment divisive politics that does
not help the Indian nation as a whole.
Question 4
What criticism is directed towards Prime Minister Narendra
Modi's campaign strategy in the passage?
A) Overemphasizing his government's accomplishments.
B) Neglecting the concerns of voters regarding job creation and
inflation.
C) Focusing solely on constructive dialogue and policy
discussions.
D) Engaging in bipartisan efforts to address socio-economic
issues.
E) None of the above
Question 5
What is highlighted as a problematic aspect of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's campaign strategy?
A) His tendency to engage in constructive dialogue with
opponents.
B) His reliance on bipartisan efforts to address socio-economic
issues.
C) His avoidance of identity politics and divisive rhetoric.
D) His use of half-truths and divisive rhetoric against the
Opposition.
E) None of the above
Today's Descriptive Question
● Write an essay of 200 words highlighting the current
applications of AI in educational settings.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly influenced educational settings,
enhancing both teaching and learning experiences. One prominent application is
personalized learning, where AI systems analyze student data to tailor
educational content to individual needs. Platforms like DreamBox and Knewton
use algorithms to adapt lessons in real-time, ensuring that students receive
customized support and challenges based on their performance.
Another application is in administrative tasks. AI-powered tools, such as chatbots
and automated grading systems, streamline administrative processes, reducing
the workload on educators. Chatbots like Ivy.ai assist students with common
inquiries, while tools like Gradescope automate the grading of assignments,
allowing teachers to focus more on instruction and student engagement.
AI also enhances accessibility in education. Tools such as speech-to-text and
text-to-speech software support students with disabilities by providing alternative
ways to interact with educational material. Microsoft's Seeing AI, for
instance, helps visually impaired students by narrating the visual world
around them.
Moreover, AI-driven data analytics helps educators identify at-risk students
early by analyzing patterns in attendance, participation, and performance.
Early interventions based on these insights can significantly improve
student outcomes.
Overall, the integration of AI in education fosters a more personalized,
efficient, and inclusive learning environment, highlighting its transformative
potential in shaping the future of education.
Write a thank you letter to a Mentor: Express gratitude to
someone who has guided and supported you in your personal
or professional growth.
XYZ
New Delhi
Dear [Mentor's Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my heartfelt
gratitude for the invaluable guidance and support you have provided me
throughout our mentoring relationship.
Your wisdom, patience, and encouragement have been instrumental in my
personal and professional growth. From the very beginning, you took the
time to understand my goals and challenges, offering insights and advice
that have helped me navigate complex situations with confidence. Your
constructive feedback has not only enhanced my skills but also fostered a
deeper understanding of my strengths and areas for improvement.
I particularly appreciate the way you have always been available for me,
whether it was for a quick piece of advice, a detailed discussion, or simply
to listen. Your belief in my potential has been a source of great motivation,
and your example has inspired me to strive for excellence.
Thank you for being such an incredible mentor. Your impact on my
journey has been profound, and I am grateful for the opportunities and
perspectives you have opened up for me. I look forward to continuing
to learn from you and to applying your lessons as I move forward.
With sincere thanks,
[Your Name]
Match the column
1. Rack up A. To get to the final stage
2. Stand to benefit B. To begin to be successful
3. Reach the end point C. To bring up old problems
4. Dog Whistle D. To be in better position
5. Take off E. A special message
Answer
1- C
2-D
3- A
4-E
5-B
Vocabulary
Sanctiona:
Carve-out:
Disconnect:
Rhetoric:
Vituperation:
Foment:
Unilateral:
Implementation:
Lynchpin:
Shrill:
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