THE HINDU

EDITORIAL
2nd March, 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.Perplexing (Adjective)
Definition: Confusing or puzzling; difficult to
understand.
Synonyms: Baffling, Confounding,
Mystifying, Bewildering.
Antonyms: Clear, Understandable, Simple.
Used in a sentence: The intricate puzzle
proved to be quite perplexing for even the
seasoned solvers.
 VOCABULARY

2. Probe (Noun)
Definition: A thorough investigation or
examination; a device or instrument used for
exploring or testing.
Synonyms: Inquiry, Inspection, Sensor.
Antonyms: Ignore, Neglect, Overlook.
Used in a sentence: The scientist used a
specialized probe to analyze the
composition of the distant planet's
atmosphere.
 VOCABULARY

3. Rampant (Adjective)
Definition: Widespread and uncontrolled;
flourishing or spreading unchecked.
Synonyms: Unbridled, Pervasive,
Unrestrained, Overwhelming.
Antonyms: Controlled, Restricted, Limited.
Used in a sentence: Inflation became
rampant, causing prices to soar and
impacting the economy significantly.
 VOCABULARY

4. Usurp (Verb)
Definition: To seize or take over unlawfully,
often by force; to assume a position or
power without proper authority.
Synonyms: Seize, Takeover, Annex,
Overthrow.
Antonyms: Surrender, Relinquish, Yield.
Used in a sentence: The ambitious general
attempted to usurp the throne, leading to a
political crisis in the kingdom.
 VOCABULARY

5. Cite (Verb)
Definition: To quote or refer to as
evidence or support; to mention
formally in a scholarly work.
Synonyms: Quote, Reference, Mention,
Include.
Antonyms: Ignore, Omit, Exclude.
Used in a sentence: The research
paper was well-supported, with the
author careful to cite relevant studies
and sources throughout.
 VOCABULARY

6. Vulnerable (Adjective)
Definition: Open to harm, damage,
or attack; easily influenced or hurt.
Synonyms: Defenseless, Exposed,
Susceptible, Fragile.
Antonyms: Secure, Protected,
Resilient.
Used in a sentence: The old bridge,
weakened by years of neglect, was
highly vulnerable to collapse during
the storm.
 VOCABULARY

7. Adversary (Noun)
Definition: An opponent or enemy;
someone or something actively working
against another.
Synonyms: Foe, Antagonist, Rival.
Antonyms: Ally, Friend, Supporter.
Used in a sentence: In the competitive
business world, companies often view
each other as both rivals and adversaries
in the pursuit of success.
 VOCABULARY

8. Akin (Adjective)
Definition: Similar in nature; related by
blood; having similar qualities or
characteristics.
Synonyms: Similar, Related, Comparable,
Kindred.
Antonyms: Unrelated, Dissimilar,
Different.
Used in a sentence: The two ideas were
akin, sharing a common thread that made
them easy to connect.
 VOCABULARY

9.Devoid (Adjective)
Definition: Completely lacking;
entirely without; empty or absent.
Synonyms: Empty, Void, Lacking,
Bereft.
Antonyms: Full, Abundant, Replete.
Used in a sentence: The room was
devoid of furniture, creating a stark
and barren atmosphere.
 VOCABULARY

10. Prise (Verb)

Definition: To force open or apart; to
extract or move something with effort.
Synonyms: Pry, Force, Extract, Lever.
Antonyms: Close, Secure, Fasten.
Used in a sentence: The burglar
attempted to prise open the window,
hoping to gain entry into the house
unnoticed.
 VOCABULARY

11. Aberration (Noun)

Definition: A departure from what is
normal, usual, or expected; a deviation
or anomaly.
Synonyms: Anomaly, Deviation,
Irregularity, Oddity.
Antonyms: Conformity, Norm,
Regularity.
Used in a sentence: The sudden drop in
temperature during summer was
considered an aberration, surprising
the local residents
 VOCABULARY

12. Awry (Adverb/Adjective)

Definition: Away from the correct or
expected course; askew or amiss.
Synonyms: Amiss, Wrong, Crooked,
Off-kilter.
Antonyms: Straight, Correct, Right.
Used in a sentence: The plan went
awry when unexpected challenges
arose during the execution.
 VOCABULARY

13. Debilitating (Adjective)

Definition: Causing severe impairment or
weakness; making someone or
something less effective.
Synonyms: Crippling, Enervating,
Weakening, Exhausting.
Antonyms: Invigorating, Strengthening,
Empowering.
Used in a sentence: The debilitating
illness left him unable to perform daily
tasks and impacted his overall quality of
life.
 VOCABULARY

14. Granular (Adjective)

Definition: Having a grainy or
granulated texture; composed of or
appearing in small, distinct particles
or grains.
Synonyms: Grainy, Fine-grained,
Sandy, Particle-like.
Antonyms: Smooth, Homogeneous,
Uniform.
Used in a sentence: The soil in the
garden was granular, providing good
drainage for the plants.
 VOCABULARY

IDIOMS AND PHRASES

1. Take into account(Phrase)

Definition: To consider or include
something when making a decision,
judgment, or calculation.

2. Break the Ice:

Meaning: To initiate a conversation in a
social setting; to overcome initial shyness
or awkwardness.
 VOCABULARY

3. Hit the Nail on the Head:

Meaning: To describe precisely or identify
the main issue accurately; to get something
exactly right.
4. Ballpark Figure:
Meaning: An approximate or rough
estimate, usually regarding numbers or
amounts.
5. Cut to the Chase:
Meaning: To get to the main point without
unnecessary details; to focus on the
essential information.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for reading

Decoding the
script: On the
Genome India
Project and its
sequencing 10,000
Indian genomes
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The Genome India Project, a project funded and

coordinated by the Department of Biotechnology,
announced that it had finished sequencing 10,000 Indian
genomes. This means that the complete genomes — the
DNA blueprint that constitutes and maintains human
bodies — from 10,000 individuals were analysed to
create a ‘reference’ Indian human genome. India first
sequenced a human genome in 2006. In a way, the latest
enterprise would be akin to the creation of the first ever
detailed map of India — with all political units, key
geographical and topographical features — as opposed
to a world map prepared elsewhere, with India just one
of several countries and devoid of granular detail.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Are 10,000 individuals representative of a country of

over a billion? Surely not. But for now, it is the best
there is and forms a vital template, the basis on
which many more insights can be prised. The most
immediate application is in combating disease. In
2009, geneticists in India, as part of an international
collaboration, discovered that an aberration in a
protein, MYBPC3 (cardiac myosin binding protein C),
was correlated with a high risk of heart failure. This
genetic variant was present in approximately 4% of
those of Indian ancestry — a higher than expected
number given that this problematic variant is rare.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

India has close to 4,500 population groups and the

subcontinent’s history of being ordered along caste lines
through endogamy implies that rare genetic variants, many
harmful, that ordinarily through the course of evolution
ought to have died out, persist. When the Human Genome
Project published its reference ‘human genome’ in 2003, at
a cost of nearly $3 billion, it rang with a ‘brave-new-world’
promise of humanity having finally decoded the secrets of
the genome, mapping every awry gene to a disease and a
future of ‘personalised medicine’. Much of Genome India’s
sales pitch reflects similar promises. However, the
subsequent decades have tempered such expectations.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

For one, only a small fraction of disease is monogenic

(determined by a single gene). Despite advances in
knowledge of how rare, inherited genes caused
debilitating disease, little could be done as the
necessary medicines, if discovered, were usually too
expensive for those in need. In other words, genome
sequencing only opened up new realms of complexity.
While Genome India should go beyond the 10,000 mark,
it must also be truly democratic. The findings ought not
be locked up in the ivory towers of academia and should
involve imaginative collaborations with scientists,
students, technology companies, ethicists and social
scientists to push forward India’s understanding of
itself.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Summary:
Genome India Project sequenced 10,000 Indian
genomes, forming a reference for disease
understanding despite limited representation.
Challenges include polygenic diseases and
affordability for personalized medicine. Success
requires surpassing 10,000 samples, ensuring
inclusivity, and fostering interdisciplinary
collaborations.
The tone of the passage is informative and
objective
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for Skimming

Vulnerable to
criticism: On the
ED and a possible
violation of
federal principles
The structure of the law against money laundering is
bound to throw up perplexing questions about the
possible violation of federal principles. One such
question has arisen in Tamil Nadu, where the
Enforcement Directorate (ED) is trying to find out
whether illegal sand mining in the State is due to
corruption and if the “proceeds” are being laundered.
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) allows
the ED to probe the money laundering aspect of crimes
registered by the police in various States. Allegations of
rampant illegal sand mining, either by extraction in
excess of permitted limits or without any permission,
are quite common in Tamil Nadu. In ruling that District
Collectors are obliged to respond to summonses
issued by the ED
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

the Supreme Court of India has underscored Tamil

Nadu’s duty to cooperate with investigations under
central laws. However, this may not necessarily mean
that the ED’s attempt to assess the likely loss to the
exchequer as a result of unchecked mining is within its
jurisdiction. A final determination may be required on
this. The top court has stayed the operation of a
Madras High Court order, which had earlier stayed the
summonses to the Collectors. The State government
and the District Collectors concerned had filed writ
petitions in the High Court against the “usurpation” of
the State’s powers by the central agency and the
validity of the summonses
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The Court has now described these petitions as

thoroughly misconceived and that the High Court’s
order was due to “utter misconception of law”. It has
cited Section 50 of PMLA on the ED’s power to
summon any person to give evidence or produce
any record necessary for the investigation. It has
noted that the probe is based on first information
reports registered in Tamil Nadu, and some of the
sections in those cases were scheduled offences
under the PMLA. However, it does not take into
account the High Court’s reasoning, based on the
Court’s verdict upholding the PMLA in Vijay Madanlal
Choudhary vs Union of India (2022),
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

that the summonses indicated that the “proceeds of

crime” have not been identified at all, and that the
probe was nothing more than a “fishing expedition”
to find out whether any scheduled offence has been
committed. The High Court had cited the 2022
judgment on the point that the ED cannot pursue
cases on a notional basis, on the assumption that an
offence has been committed. While asking officials
to cooperate with an investigation is
unobjectionable in itself, it cannot be forgotten that
the ED’s low credibility and obvious lack of
independence make its actions vulnerable to the
criticism of being biased against States ruled by the
political adversaries of those in power at the Centre.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Today's Descriptive Question

Write an essay of 200 words On Financial inclusion

 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Financial inclusion, the access and usage of

financial services by all segments of society, is
crucial for fostering economic development. In
recent years, there has been a global push to
enhance financial inclusion, recognizing its role
in reducing poverty and promoting economic
stability.
Firstly, expanding access to banking services
enables individuals to manage their finances
more efficiently. This is particularly significant
for marginalized communities and those in
remote areas who previously lacked access to
traditional banking.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Through innovations like mobile banking,

more people can now participate in the formal
financial system.
Moreover, financial inclusion facilitates
entrepreneurship and economic growth. Small
businesses, often the backbone of local
economies, benefit from easier access to
credit and financial tools. This fosters job
creation and overall economic resilience.
In conclusion, achieving widespread financial
inclusion is not just a matter of economic
policy but a means to empower individuals
and communities.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

By breaking down barriers to financial

services, societies can unlock the
potential for broader economic
participation, leading to more inclusive
and sustainable development.
Write a Formal Letter to your Municipal Corporation in about 150 words complaining
about the state of roads in your area and the lack of street lights there.

[Your Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]

Date

To,

The Comissioner,

[XYZ Municipality]
[City, State, PIN Code]

Subject: Complaint about state of roads and lack of street lights.

Dear Sir/ Ma’am

I am writing to express my deep concern
regarding the deteriorating state of roads in our
neighborhood, specifically [Name of Your Area].
The condition of these roads has been steadily
worsening, causing inconvenience to residents
and posing safety hazards.
Furthermore, the absence of adequate street
lighting compounds the problem, making it
challenging to navigate the area safely during
the evening. This poses a serious risk to
pedestrians and motorists alike.
I kindly request the Municipal Corporation to
address these issues promptly by initiating
road repairs and installing sufficient street
lights in our locality. Your immediate attention
to this matter would greatly enhance the safety
and quality of life for all residents.
Thank you for your prompt action on this
urgent matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Match the words with their meanings.

Column A Column B

Debilitating Grainy structured

Granular Quote, mention

Cite Prone to risks or harm

Akin Identical to, related to

Vulnerable To make something weaker

 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

VOCABULARY FOR ALL

1.Devoid
2.Debilitating
3.Probe
4. Usurp
5. Rampant
6. Perplexing
7. Adversary
8.Akin
9.Cite
10.Vulnerable