THE HINDU

EDITORIAL Presents

26th 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. Apportion: to divide something among people; to give a share

of something to somebody. बांटना
Synonyms: dispense, prorate
Antonyms: consolidate, monopolise
Example: Please apportion the tasks fairly so that everyone has
an equal workload.
2. Contending: saying that something is true or is a fact. दृढ़तापूवर्क
कहना
Synonyms: asserting, professing
Antonyms: gainsaying, contradicting
Example: I contend that this recipe is the
best for chocolate chip cookies.
 VOCABULARY

3. Surfaced: suddenly appeared or becsme obvious after having

been hidden for a while. प्रकट होना
Synonyms: emerged, manifested
Antonyms: dissipated, faded
Example: A sense of nostalgia surfaced when she visited her
childhood home.
4. Divergent: different; no longer similar. िविभन्न
Synonyms: contrasting, antithetical
Antonyms: identical, alike
Example: The opinions of the two friends
were divergent, leading to a lively debate.
 VOCABULARY

5. Equitable: fair and reasonable; treating everyone in an equal way.

िनष्पक्ष
Synonyms: impartial, nonpartisan
Antonyms: prejudiced, disproportionate
Example: The company implemented equitable pay scales to
promote equality among employees.
6. Inevitable: certain to happen and unable to be avoided or
prevented. िनिश्चत
Synonyms: destined, inexorable
Antonyms: avoidable, indefinite
Example: Change is inevitable, and we must adapt to it.
 VOCABULARY

7. Erosion: the process of gradually destroying something or making

it weaker over a period of time. क्षरण
Synonyms: waning, abrasion
Antonyms: reparation, restoration
Example: Erosion of trust can be difficult to repair in relationships.
8. Wary: not completely trusting or certain about something or
someone. सावधान
Synonyms: heedful, chary
Antonyms: unmindful, foolhardy
Example: After getting scammed once,
he became very wary of online offers.
 VOCABULARY

9. Prolonged: continuing for a long time. दीघर्कालीन

Synonyms: protracted, lingering
Antonyms: fleeting, evanescent
Example: Sarah's prolonged absence from work raised concerns
among her colleagues.

Phrasal verbs
10. Defer to: to let another person decide, or
to accept another person's opinion, usually
because you
respect the knowledge or experience of that person.
11. Spelt out: explained something
in a very clear way with details.
 VOCABULARY

Idiom
12. Threw its weight behind: used one's influence or power to
support or promote someone or something.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for reading

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 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

In declining to interfere with the order of the Cauvery Water

Management Authority (CWMA), directing Karnataka to release
5,000 cubic feet of water per second (cusecs) to Tamil Nadu
until September 27, the Supreme Court has rightly chosen to
defer to the wisdom of an expert body that is better placed to
apportion the available water in a rainfall deficit year. Karnataka
had approached the apex court against the order, contending
that it was suffering from a shortfall of over 53% in inflows to its
reservoirs this year, following a weak south-west monsoon, and
was not in a position to release 5,000 cusecs for 15 more days.
To its credit, the upper riparian State has been complying with
the CWMA’s order amid pressure and protests from some
political parties and organisations.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Earlier, Tamil Nadu had approached the Court in mid-August

to seek directions for water release from Karnataka’s
reservoirs so that the quantum stipulated for it for the second
half of August and whole of September could be realised. The
Court had then sought a report from the CWMA, which has
spelt out the extent of the distress this year. The 15-day
period for which the current CWMA order is applicable ends
on September 27, and the Authority’s assisting body, the
Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) is scheduled
to meet on September 26 to consider the situation afresh. The
dispute has surfaced after a few years, once again
highlighting the fact that the parties need a regular formula to
share the shortfall and distress in years when the monsoon
fails.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

In years of abundance, there is little difficulty in Karnataka

releasing the water in compliance with the final award of the
Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, as modified by the
Supreme Court in 2018. It is well-known that much of this
release is the natural downstream flow of water during heavy
rainfall from brimming reservoirs. It is only during deficit
years that the States involved feel that the Court will pass
favourable orders even if the CWMA does not. This kind of
yearly adjudication and seasonal litigation should not
become the norm. The CWMA should utilise the opportunity
to come up with a permanent formula on how to assess
deficit in a given year. Even on the manner of assessment of
deficit, the two States have divergent views.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

It is now up to the CWMA and the CWRC in gathering data on

rainfall, inflows and storage, to evolve an acceptable formula
to apportion the shortfall in an equitable way. It is inevitable
that neither State will be satisfied with the quantum of release
ordered by the CWMA, but it is at this point that politics
should yield to domain expertise.
Summary:

The Supreme Court’s decision not to intervene in the Cauvery Water

Management Authority’s (CWMA) order, instructing Karnataka to release 5,000
cubic feet of water per second to Tamil Nadu until September 27, is a prudent
move. Karnataka had cited a 53% inflow shortfall due to a weak monsoon, but it
had adhered to CWMA’s orders. The recurring dispute underscores the need for
a consistent formula to distribute water during deficient monsoon years, instead
of yearly litigation. CWMA and CWRC must collaborate to establish an equitable
formula for assessing shortages based on rainfall, inflows, and storage data,
prioritizing expertise over politics.

The tone of the passage is primarily one of measured and objective analysis.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for skimming

War in the Caucasus

Azerbaijan should respect
the autonomy of the
Armenian population
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Azerbaijan’s brisk military recapture of Nagorno-Karabakh, an

Armenian-populated enclave within its borders, shows the
changing power dynamics in the Caucasus, where American,
Russian and Turkish interests collide. The roots of the conflict go
back to the final days of the Soviet Union when the enclave’s
majority Armenian-Christian population held a referendum to
break away from the Shia majority Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh
was then run by Armenian separatists, backed by the Republic of
Armenia, until recently. In 2020, Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey,
fought Armenia, a Russian treaty ally, and captured much of
Nagorno-Karabakh. The Russians then did little to help Armenia,
but brokered a ceasefire that left Stepanakert, Nagorno-
Karabakh’s biggest city, in the hands of the locals. The peace did
not hold.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Azerbaijan blockaded the Lachin Corridor, the main road

connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, leaving the
1,20,000 population of the enclave to face mounting
economic miseries. Facing international criticism for the
blockade, Azerbaijan promised to lift it, but established a
checkpoint, continuing to control the flow of goods and
medicines. Last week, it attacked Stepanakert, forcing the
separatists to hand over full control to Baku. In effect,
Azerbaijan achieved in a day what it had failed to do in three
decades. Two major geopolitical shifts seem to have helped
Baku. First, Turkey, keen to play a bigger role in the
Caucasus region, the former periphery of the Ottoman Turks,
threw its weight behind Azerbaijan, with political and military
support.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Second, Russia’s Ukraine invasion, which tied Moscow to its

western front, has led to a substantial erosion of Russian
power in the Caucasus. Armenia had often expressed
displeasure with Russia’s lack of action. Moscow did nothing
besides issuing statements when Azerbaijan gradually
dismantled the ceasefire agreement. Baku realised that the
geopolitical situation favoured it and then moved in to take
over the enclave. It is widely recognised that Nagorno-
Karabakh is a part of Azerbaijan. But there is a history of
mistrust and violence. Armenians in the region, having gone
through a genocide and several conflicts, have a sharp
historical memory and remain wary of any change in the
status quo. Azerbaijan’s takeover has triggered a massive
refugee outflow to Armenia.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

There are already allegations that Baku is committing

genocidal crimes. For Azerbaijan, this can be an opportunity
to integrate Nagorno-Karabakh without further bloodshed.
But for that, Baku should ensure equal rights for the
Armenian population and respect its autonomy. If not,
Azerbaijan could face prolonged local resistance, which
could not only deny it a clean victory but also turn its quest
to control the enclave ugly.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Today's Descriptive Question

Write an essay of 200 words highlighting the

consequences of spending too much time on social
media and gaming platforms for children.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Excessive time spent on social media and gaming platforms

can have detrimental consequences for children. Firstly, it
can lead to academic underachievement as these activities
consume valuable study time. The constant notifications and
distractions can hinder concentration and productivity,
resulting in lower grades.

Moreover, extended screen time can lead to physical health

issues. Sedentary behavior is associated with obesity and
other health problems in children. Lack of outdoor activities
and exercise can also impact their overall development.

Socially, excessive use of social media can lead to a decline

in face-to-face social skills.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Children may struggle with real-life communication,

empathy, and the ability to form meaningful relationships.

Mentally, these platforms can contribute to anxiety and

depression. Comparing oneself to idealized online personas
can erode self-esteem. Online harassment and cyberbullying
are prevalent, causing emotional distress.

In conclusion, while social media and gaming platforms offer

benefits, overindulgence can result in academic, physical,
social, and mental consequences for children. It's crucial for
parents and guardians to monitor and limit screen time to
ensure a balanced and healthy upbringing.
Please write a letter to the manager of a bank, requesting details to apply for a
home loan.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
[Date]
Date
[Bank Name]
[branch Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
Subject: Request for Details on Home Loan
Dear Sir/ Ma’am
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request information on the
process and requirements for applying for a home loan with your bank.
I am interested in purchasing a home and believe that your bank's services
align with my needs. Could you kindly provide me with details regarding the
application procedure, eligibility criteria, interest rates, and any documentation I
would need to submit?
Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated, as it will help me
make an informed decision. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Match the words with their meanings.

Column A Column B

Thorny boring, ordinary, and not original

Banal acting without delay; arriving at the right time

Evoke causing difficulty or disagreement

Prompt that has never happened, been done, or been

known before

Unprecedented to bring a feeling, a memory or an image into your

mind
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

VOCABULARY FOR ALL

1. Apportion:
2. Contending:
3. Surfaced:
4. Divergent:
5. Equitable:
6. Inevitable:
7. Erosion:
8. Wary:
9. Prolonged:
10. Defer to:
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CONTENT - NIMISHA
BANSAL