THE HINDU

EDITORIAL Presents

25th September 2023

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 VOCABULARY

1. Solidarity: unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially

among individuals with a common interest. संघीभाव
Synonyms: concord, harmony
Antonyms: discord, dissension
Example: The union members expressed their solidarity by
participating in a strike for fair wages.
2. Vindictive: showing a strong and unreasonable desire to harm
or upset somebody because you think that they have harmed
you. प्र तशोधी
Synonyms: spiteful, vengeful
Antonyms: forgiving, merciful
Example: She felt hurt by his comments, but she wasn't
vindictive, so she forgave him easily.
 VOCABULARY

3. Thorny: causing difficulty or disagreement. कष्टमय

Synonyms: vexatious, irksome
Antonyms: convenient, straightforward
Example: Despite the thorny challenges they encountered, the team
persevered and achieved their goal.
4. Banal: boring, ordinary, and not original. साधारण
Synonyms: humdrum, vapid
Antonyms: stimulating, gripping
Example: The banal conversation about the weather bored me to
tears.
 VOCABULARY

5. Evoke: to bring a feeling, a memory or an image into your mind.

उत्पन्न करना
Synonyms: elicit, arouse
Antonyms: inhibit, smother
Example: His eloquent speech managed to evoke a sense of unity
among the diverse crowd.
6. Prompt: acting without delay; arriving at the right time. तत्पर
Synonyms: expeditious, brisk
Antonyms: sluggish, tardy
Example: He was prompt in responding to the emergency.
 VOCABULARY

7. Persists: to continue to do something despite difficulties or

opposition, in a way that can seem unreasonable. डटे रहना
Synonyms: strive, persevere
Antonyms: concede, relent
Example: Despite the rain, he decided to persist in his outdoor
workout.
8. Unprecedented: that has never happened, been done, or been
known before. अभूतपूवर्व
Synonyms: novel, unparalleled
Antonyms: familiar, acquainted
Example: The storm brought unprecedented levels of rainfall,
causing widespread flooding.
 VOCABULARY

9. Perplexing: confusing, often because you do not know how to

solve something. उलझन में डालने वाला
Synonyms: baffling, bewildering
Antonyms: clear, simple
Example: The directions to the new restaurant were so perplexing
that we got lost.

Phrasal verb
10. Call out: to criticise someone or ask them to explain their
actions.
 VOCABULARY

Idioms
11. Went out of its way: to try very hard to do something, especially
for someone else.
12. Set a precedent: to decide something that will be used as an
example or rule to be followed in the future.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for reading

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 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The Asian Games, which were opened on September 23 by

Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou following a
spectacular opening ceremony on a scale that has now come to
be expected from China, are meant to showcase a broader
message of Asian solidarity. The days leading up to the opening
ceremony of the 19th edition were, however, marked by anything
but. The day before the opening, Union Sports Minister Anurag
Thakur cancelled his visit to China as a mark of protest to the
last-minute denial of entry to three Indian Wushu players from
Arunachal Pradesh. The three athletes — Nyeman Wangsu,
Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu — were given the accreditation
needed to travel along with the rest of the Indian team for the
Games. However, in what appears to be a directive issued to the
airline by China, the athletes were told they could not board their
flight.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

China has in the past issued stapled visas to Indians from

Arunachal Pradesh. Only in July, three wushu players from
Arunachal Pradesh, due to take part in the World University
Games in Chengdu, were issued stapled visas. In this
instance, the decision to bar the athletes appears particularly
vindictive as visas were not needed to travel for athletes
issued digital accreditations. Indian officials believe Beijing
thus went out of its way to bar their travel by instructing the
airline to not allow them to board. The Ministry of External
Affairs in a statement described the action as “targeted and
pre-meditated”. This is, unfortunately, not the first instance of
Beijing using sporting events that should have no place for
politics to score geopolitical points.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

In February last year, Beijing ill-advisedly selected the

People’s Liberation Army’s commander involved in the
Galwan Valley clash as one of the torchbearers for the Winter
Olympics. Both then and now, the organisers have appeared
more than happy to look the other way given China’s status
as both a willing host and strong financial backer of such
events. The acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia,
Randhir Singh, who met with President Xi in Hangzhou, in
remarks to journalists chose not to call out the denial of entry
to athletes, instead only saying the matter was being
discussed. Beyond the Asian Games, the latest Chinese
action serves as a reminder of the current distrust in bilateral
relations, as well as of the absence of adequate channels of
communication to deal with long-persisting thorny issues,
including visas.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

New Delhi has correctly made clear that restoring normalcy in

relations will not be possible without completing the
disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control and
restoring peace in border areas. Until Beijing reviews its
stance on the border, the current state of affairs, which suits
neither India nor China, is likely to endure.
Summary:

The 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, aimed to promote Asian solidarity
but faced controversy when three Indian Wushu players from Arunachal Pradesh
were denied entry, leading to the cancellation of the Indian Sports Minister’s visit
in protest. The athletes had valid accreditations, and it’s believed China
instructed the airline not to let them board, causing a diplomatic dispute. This
incident reflects China’s past use of sports for political gains, such as
appointing a commander from the Galwan Valley clash as a torchbearer for the
Winter Olympics. The lack of trust and communication channels between India
and China compounds the issue, hindering relations until border disputes are
resolved.

The tone of the passage is critical and disapproving.

 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for skimming

An economic corridor,
the Israel link and the
geopolitics
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The 2023 summit of the G-20 under India’s presidency went

exceptionally well given the group’s limited economic approach to
the complex issues that the world faces, from climate change and
underdevelopment, wealth concentration and poverty and, most
critically for our times, falling democratic norms and principles of
peace. India’s remarkable success at the summit this year, in early
September, was captured by the global press, except in China, for
various outcomes such as the inclusion of the African Union in the
G-20, a tangible offer of clean energy through a biofuel alliance,
increasing substantial aid for Asia-Africa, an economic corridor
that connects India, West Asia and Europe using an ambitious rail
and shipping link, and the Delhi Declaration which was a joint
statement of all the group.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The joint statement called the Delhi Declaration is

newsworthy because of the fractured international order and
power struggles between India and the United States with
China or the U.S. with Russia. Despite the absence of China’s
President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at
the summit, India still got their agreement for the declaration
which sums up the achievement. Substantially speaking, the
statement is pareve (the Hebrew word for characterless
things; read banal here) as it does not name Russia for
aggression against Ukraine; but it does evoke the United
Nations charter and principles of territorial sovereignty. An
Indian official revealed the recipe for this over-applauded
collective statement: “India needed a text that had something
for everyone, so that each member can go back with a win.”
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

But the boldest outcome, and unanticipated by many, was the

announcement of the economic corridor (the “India-Middle
East-Europe Economic Corridor”), of a rail-ship route, to
transport goods to Europe from India via the United Arab
Emirates-Saudi Arabia-Jordan-Israel. Such a project will
change the geopolitics for the future. The fact that it
challenges China’s Belt and Road Initiative is beside the more
significant point. U.S. President Joe Biden called it ‘a real big
deal’, which is transformative for all those involved and the
rest of the world. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
was prompt to show that Israel has been eager to be a part of
such a project. Interestingly, in the statement, Mr. Netanyahu
thanked Mr. Biden, and did not mention Mr. Modi for this idea
and initiative to which Israel will provide all its skills and
support.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Mr. Netanyahu is forbidden from diplomatic trophies due to

his domestic politics and not paying attention for long to the
expectations of Mr. Biden’s foreign policy goals. If he persists
on this path, Israel’s foreign policy will suffer. The
normalisation of ties with Saudi Arabia is a precondition for
this economic corridor to materialise. In its report on the
G-20, Arab News found that ‘India’s G20 leaders’ summit had
an unprecedented Middle Eastern Presence’. India ‘set a
precedent in G20 history by inviting the most Middle Eastern
countries ever to take part as guests in the group’s key
summit’, and one wonders why Israel, India’s strategic partner
also from the region, was not given such an invitation.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

As a host, India invited nine non-member countries —

Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman,
Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates — to the
summit. It is all the more perplexing when the economic
corridor was to be announced at the same summit and Israel
is a part of the plan. Mr. Modi and Mr. Netanyahu share a good
friendship. Perhaps factors such as a meet between Saudi
Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Mr.
Netanyahu may have been impossible unless there was
diplomatic normalisation. Mr. Biden might have also preferred
an event without Mr. Netanyahu because he has avoided him
for the last eight months due to his domestic politics.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Saudi Arabia is willing to end the diplomatic boycott of Israel.

It is a historical change because such an acceptance of Israel
by the most important, religiously speaking, Muslim country,
will help Israel with other countries such as Pakistan (already
willing), Indonesia and Malaysia. For such a change, Saudis
demand that Israel commits to the two-state solution and the
well-being of the Palestinian people, even if the occupation
does not end soon. Currently, on the sidelines of the UN
General Assembly, Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the Arab
League and the European Union, has joined forces with Egypt
and Jordan to launch a ‘Peace Day Effort’ aimed at
incentivising Israelis and Palestinian leaders to compromise.
Israel-Palestine peace is a very challenging aim and given the
rise of extremism on both sides, it appears all the more
impossible.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Saudi Arabia is aware of it and is still interested in having

deliberations to walk smoothly among Arabs and other
Muslims while working with the Biden administration to make
peace with the State of Israel. The India-Middle East-Europe
Economic Corridor will have to wait until this happens.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Today's Descriptive Question

Write an essay of 200 words on the adverse impacts

of brain drain on a country.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Brain drain refers to the emigration of highly skilled and

educated individuals from one country to another, often to
seek better opportunities and living conditions. While it
benefits the receiving countries, it has several adverse
impacts on the country of origin.

Firstly, brain drain leads to a loss of talent and expertise.

When skilled professionals, scientists, and researchers leave
their home country, it deprives the nation of their knowledge
and contributions, hindering its progress.

Secondly, it exacerbates economic disparities. Developing

countries invest in education and training, but the
emigration of their educated workforce means they do not
reap the benefits of this investment.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

This contributes to underdevelopment and a lack of

innovation in these nations. Additionally, brain drain can
result in a shortage of essential professionals, such as
doctors and engineers, leading to inadequate healthcare and
infrastructure.

Lastly, it weakens the potential for homegrown innovation

and technological advancement, as the brightest minds often
take their ideas elsewhere.

In conclusion, brain drain poses significant challenges to

countries, impeding their development and perpetuating
global inequalities. Measures to retain talent, improve
opportunities, and create conducive environments are
essential to mitigate its adverse impacts.
Please write a letter to the manager of a bank, requesting details of your
transaction records of the past six months.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
[Date]
Date
[Bank Name]
[branch Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
Subject: Request for Transaction Records
Dear Sir/ Ma’am
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request my transaction records
for the past six months on my account [Your Account Number]. It would be
greatly appreciated if you could provide me with this information at your earliest
convenience.
Having access to this data is crucial for my financial planning, and I value the
transparency your bank offers. Please send the records to my registered email
address or provide instructions on how I can obtain them.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your
positive response.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Match the words with their meanings.

Column A Column B

Dearth admitted that something was true, logical, etc.

after first denying it or resisting it

Tenuous not firm or confident

Conceded thought not to be completely true or not able to be

trusted

Dubious a lack of something

Wobbly so weak or uncertain that it hardly exists

 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

VOCABULARY FOR ALL

1. Solidarity:
2. Vindictive:
3. Thorny:
4. Banal:
5. Evoke:
6. Prompt:
7. Persists:
8. Unprecedented:
9. Perplexing:
10. Went out of its way:
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