THE HINDU

EDITORIAL
15th April, 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. Portent: चेतावनी
Definition: A sign or warning that something
momentous is likely to happen in future.
Synonyms: Augury, Omen, Harbinger, Presage.
Antonyms: Hope, Blessing, Boon, Favor.
Used in a sentence: The sudden drop in stock prices
was seen as a portent of an economic downturn.
2. Elusive: हाथ न आनेवाला
Definition: Difficult to find or achieve.
Synonyms: Fleeting, Evasive, Slippery, Inaccessible.
Antonyms: Attainable, Accessible, Straightforward.
Used in a sentence: The concept of time is elusive,
slipping through our fingers like sand.
 VOCABULARY
3. Resurgence: पुनरुत्थान
Definition: A revival or renewed increase in
something.
Synonyms: Recovery, Resurrection, Rejuvenation.
Antonyms: Regression, Deterioration, Downturn.
Used in a sentence: The team’s resurgence in the
second half of the game caught everyone by
surprise.
4. Faltering: लड़खड़ाना
Definition: Experiencing uncertainty or lack of
confidence.
Synonyms: Hesitating, Stumbling, Floundering.
Antonyms: Unwavering, Consistent, Steady.
Used in a sentence: Her voice was faltering as she
delivered the emotional speech.
 VOCABULARY

5. Infringement: उल्लंघन
Definition: Breaking of a law or rule.
Synonyms: Violation, Breach, Transgression,
Trespass.
Antonyms: Adherence, Compliance, Abidance,
Obedience.
Used in a sentence: The company faced legal action
for infringement of environmental regulations.
6. Convention: नयम
Definition: A widely accepted practice or rule.
Synonyms: Norm, Protocol, Custom.
Antonyms: Abandonment, Deviation, Rebellion.
Used in a sentence: She decided to wear a traditional
dress to the convention.
 VOCABULARY

7. Crusade: अ भयान
Definition: A vigorous campaign organized for a
cause.
Synonyms: Movement, Drive, initiative, Mission.
Antonyms: Indifference, Apathy, Passivity, Lethargy.
Used in a sentence: She dedicated her life to the
crusade against poverty and inequality.
8. Expulsion: नष्कासन
Definition: The act of forcing someone to leave the a
place or position.
Synonyms: Eviction, Ejection, Removal, Dismissal.
Antonyms: Inclusion, Allowance, Retention.
Used in a sentence: The expulsion from the team left
him feeling disappointed and ashamed.
 VOCABULARY

9. Rogue: दुष्ट
Definition: A person or thing that behaves
unpredictably.
Synonyms: Rascal, Maverick, Miscreant.
Antonyms: Devoted, Loyal, Trustworthy, Reputable.
Used in a sentence: Despite their efforts to maintain
order, a rogue wave capsized their boat.
 VOCABULARY

IDIOMS AND PHRASES

1. Buck the trend (Idiom)

Meaning: To go against the prevailing
pattern.

2. To get one’s act together (Idiom)

Meaning: To organize or improve one’s
behaviour or performance.

3. Not in line with something (Idiom)

Meaning: Not conforming to a particular
idea, standard or expectation.
 VOCABULARY

4. Shoot up (Phrasal verb)

Meaning: To increase rapidly or sharply.

5. Break off (Phrasal verb)

Meaning: To end something abruptly.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for Reading

Fleeting relief
Food prices still bite
even as fresh
pressures could
weigh on inflation
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

For the first time in five months, India’s retail

inflation slid below the 5% mark in March, to 4.85%.
While it constituted only a marginal easing from the
5.1% recorded in February, this was the lowest pace
of price rise recorded since May 2023. The average
inflation of 5% clocked in the final quarter of
2023-24 is not just in line with Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) projections but also the slowest in three
years. For the full year gone by, consumer price
rise averaged 5.4%, as the RBI had forecast — a
four-year low. Core inflation, excluding energy and
food prices, has been under the 4% mark for four
straight months. QuantEco Research estimates that
overall fuel inflation in India hit a four-year low of
-2.7% in March, which was the seventh straight
month of disinflation in the segment.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

No doubt, the ₹2 per litre cuts in petrol and diesel

prices and the ₹100 drop in cylinder prices have
helped, though the full impact of these pre-poll steps
will be seen this month. Amid these pleasant
portents, two critical problems persist — food bills
remain problematically high, even as overall inflation
is rising for rural consumers, already hit by a weak
monsoon. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer
Food Price Index, has averaged an alarming 8%
through 2023-24, and 8.5% in the January to March
quarter. And while some government interventions
have helped check a few items’ prices and hopes of a
normal monsoon this year could lift some pressure
points, perhaps from July onwards, the ongoing heat
waves across large parts of the country remain a
threat to perishable supplies.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Moreover, some key items are seeing deeply

entrenched inflation trends — double-digit
inflation has now been seen for five months in
vegetables, 10 months in pulses and a whopping
22 months in spices. Cereals inflation picked up
pace in March, breaking a seven-month
moderating streak, while eggs, meat and fish are
also seeing spikes. While the RBI expects inflation
to cool to 4.5% this year, it is projected at 4.9% for
the first quarter. A durable descent to its 4% target
that has now been elusive for 54 months, remains
tricky. For urban consumers, inflation eased
tantalisingly close to the target in March at 4.14%,
but it rose in rural India to 5.45% from 5.34% in
January and February.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

While a prolonged phase of high prices is already

hurting consumption, the resurgence in crude oil
prices to a seven-month high of $90 a barrel this
month, faltering hopes of interest rate cuts in the
United States and the European Union, and
strife-fuelled shipping cost spikes, pose fresh
worries on the inflation front in the months to
come.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Summary:
India's retail inflation dipped below 5% in March for
the first time in five months, reaching 4.85%, the
lowest since May 2023. The average inflation for
2023-24 aligned with RBI projections, marking a
four-year low at 5.4%. Core inflation remained below
4% for four consecutive months. While fuel inflation
hit a four-year low, food prices remained high,
especially for rural consumers. Despite some
government interventions, certain items like
vegetables, pulses, and spices saw persistent
double-digit inflation. Inflation is projected to cool
but faces challenges from rising crude oil prices and
global economic uncertainties.
The tone of the passage is analytical and cautious.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for Skimming

Breach of
convention
Ecuador should stay
within the limits of
international laws
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Ecuador’s raid on April 5 at the Mexico embassy in

Quito is a serious violation of the Vienna Convention
on diplomatic relations on which nations operate
their missions in foreign lands. The raid was to arrest
Jorge David Glas, a former Vice-President in the
administration of leftist and former President Rafael
Correa, who has been sentenced for corruption. Mr.
Correa, now living in Belgium, has also been
convicted for corruption. Mr. Glas and Mr. Correa say
the cases against them are politically motivated. But
for Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, the cases
against the former elites were part of his larger
crusade against corruption. Tensions were high
between the two countries after Mr. Glas took refuge
in the Mexican embassy in Quito in December, a
month after Mr. Noboa took office.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Last week, Ecuador declared Mexico’s

Ambassador Raquel Serur Smeke as persona non
grata after Mexico’s leftist President Andrés
Manuel López Obrador’s comments that were
critical of Ecuador’s 2023 elections. Mexico also
decided to grant asylum to Mr. Glas, which
angered Ecuador. It termed the decision illegal as
Mr. Glas was facing cases in the country and, soon
after, sent armed police officers to the embassy to
arrest him, triggering a major diplomatic crisis.
Mexico, which says its sovereignty has been
breached, has now moved the International Court
of Justice in the Netherlands, demanding the
expulsion of Ecuador from the UN.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The embassy raid comes at a time when President

Noboa is facing increased criticism at home over
rising gang violence. He came to power promising
to tackle corruption and gang violence. Last year’s
presidential election was marred by deadly violence
when presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio
was assassinated during the campaign in Quito. Mr.
Noboa says he stays committed to fighting gangs
and restoring order in Ecuador’s cities, but his
approval rating has sunk amid growing violence,
especially in the coastal city of Guayaquil, which
was overrun by gangs in January. The situation is
so bad in Ecuador that during the Easter weekend,
the country of 18 million people saw over 100
murders.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Critics say Mr. Noboa is using the diplomatic crisis

with Mexico to strengthen his political fortunes. But
he has merely triggered a new crisis without
addressing the actual one. Ecuadorians are set to
vote in a referendum next week that would give the
government increased security powers to fight
gang violence. The government has to get its act
together in the war against organised violence, but
it should do that from within the limits of domestic
and international laws. Going rogue inside the
embassy of a neighbouring country in the name of
fighting corruption is not going to help Ecuador in
tackling the myriad challenges it is facing.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Today's Descriptive Question

Write an essay of 200 words on the Present

economic condition of India.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

As of recent, India's economic landscape showcases a

blend of challenges and opportunities. The country has
demonstrated resilience amidst global turbulence, yet
several domestic factors warrant attention. India faces
the paradox of being a fast-growing economy with
persistent structural issues. One prominent concern is
the unemployment rate, exacerbated by the COVID-19
pandemic's aftermath. Despite various government
initiatives like "Make in India" and "Skill India," job
creation remains a formidable task. Furthermore,
inflationary pressures persist, impacting purchasing
power and living standards, particularly among the
lower-income groups.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The need for effective fiscal and monetary policies to

curb inflation without hampering growth is evident.
India's economic health also hinges on its ability to
attract foreign investment. While strides have been
made, bureaucratic hurdles and infrastructural deficits
deter potential investors. Additionally, the agrarian
sector, employing a significant portion of the
population, grapples with productivity challenges,
land fragmentation, and inadequate infrastructure.
However, amidst these challenges lie opportunities.
India's digital revolution presents immense potential,
with burgeoning startups and a growing digital
infrastructure.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

In conclusion, India's economic condition is a tapestry

of challenges and opportunities. Addressing
structural impediments while leveraging emerging
sectors is imperative for sustained and inclusive
growth. Collaboration between the government,
private sector, and civil society is crucial in navigating
these complexities and steering India towards
economic prosperity.
Write A letter to the Bank Manager for failure transaction on UPI.

[Your Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
Date
To,
The Manager
[XYZ bank ]
[City, State, PIN Code]
Subject: Request for Resolution of Failed UPI Transaction
Dear Sir/ Ma’am
I am writing to bring to your attention a recent
issue I encountered with a failed UPI transaction
from my account [mention your account number]
on [date of transaction]. The transaction
reference number is [transaction reference
number].
Despite repeated attempts, the transaction failed
to go through, causing inconvenience. I request
your immediate assistance in resolving this
matter and ensuring the reversal of the deducted
amount to my account at the earliest.
Your prompt attention to this issue would be
greatly appreciated, as it impacts my financial
transactions and trust in the bank's services.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,

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

Match the words with their meanings.

Column A Column B

1. Crusade A. A person or thing that behaves unpredictably.

2. Portent B. A widely accepted practice or rule.

3. Faltering C. A vigorous campaign or movement.

4. Rogue D. A sign or warning.

5. Convention E. Experiencing hesitation or lack of confidence.

c
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

VOCABULARY FOR ALL

1. Infringement
2. Expulsion
3. Crusade
4. Portent
5. Rogue
6. Resurgence
7. Elusive
8. Faltering
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