THE HINDU

EDITORIAL Presents

2nd December 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. Steadfast: staying the same for a long time and

not changing quickly or unexpectedly. अटल
Synonyms: enduring, persistent
Antonyms: wavering, faltering
Example: His steadfast loyalty to his friends made
him a trusted companion.
2. Brooked: allowed or accepted something. बदार्ण त
करना
Synonyms: endorsed, sanctioned
Antonyms: disapproved, shunned
Example: We should brook no compromise on
matters of safety.
 VOCABULARY

3. Stewardship: the job of supervising or

taking care of something. प्रबंधन
Synonyms: superintendence, charge
Antonyms: negligence, ignorance
Example: The company certainly prospered
under his stewardship.
4. Pedantic: giving too much attention to
formal rules or small details. प रशुद्ध
Synonyms: punctilious, fastidious
Antonyms: sloppy, slipshod
Example: Instead of enjoying the story, Alex
became pedantic and focused on historical
inaccuracies in the movie.
 VOCABULARY

5. Patchy: not complete; good in some parts,

but not in others. अपूणर्ण
Synonyms: lacking, inadequate
Antonyms: exhaustive, thorough
Example: His knowledge of the subject was
patchy, with gaps in certain key concepts.
6. Robust: strong and unlikely to break or fail.
मजबूत
Synonyms: sturdy, sound
Antonyms: flimsy, fragile
Example: The company implemented a robust
cybersecurity system to protect sensitive data.
 VOCABULARY

7. Offset: to cancel or reduce the effect of

something; to create an equal balance between
two things. बराबर कर दे ना
Synonyms: counterbalance, neutralise
Antonyms: disproportion, outweigh
Example: We'll need to offset the expenses by
finding cost-saving measures.
8. Buoyed: supported something and made it
more successful. सम्भालना
Synonyms: buttressed, bolstered
Antonyms: undermined, impaired
Example: The positive feedback buoyed her
confidence.
 VOCABULARY

9. Precarity: the state of not being safe or

certain. अ नि चतता
Synonyms: vulnerability, insecurity
Antonyms: assurance, stability
Example: Economic precarity can lead to
increased stress and insecurity.
10. Plaguing: causing pain or trouble to
somebody/something over a period of time. पीड़ा
दे ना
Synonyms: besetting, harrowing
Antonyms: comforting, appeasing
Example: The persistent rainstorm was
plaguing the small town for days.
 VOCABULARY

11. Fillip: something that causes a sudden

improvement. प्रोत्साहन
Synonyms: impetus, stimulus
Antonyms: deterrent, impediment
Example: His promotion acted as a fillip,
boosting his confidence at work.

Words of foreign origin:

12. Ad hoc: arranged or happening when
necessary and not planned in advance.
13. Sans: without.
 VOCABULARY

Phrasal verb
14. Spilled over: started in one area and then
affected other areas.

Idiom
15. Lost steam: lost strength, force, or energy;
slowed down.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for reading

Finding funds
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 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

A healthy loss and damage (L&D) fund, a

three-decade-old demand, is a fundamental expression of
climate justice. The L&D fund is a corpus of money and
technologies that will be replenished by developed
countries and used by the rest to respond to the more
unavoidable effects of climate change. On the first day of
the COP28 climate talks underway in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE), representatives of the member-states
agreed to operationalise the L&D fund. The
announcement was dearly won: at the end of the COP27
talks in Egypt last year, member-states agreed to launch
such a fund, thanks largely to the steadfast efforts of the
G-77 bloc of countries plus China, led by Pakistan. Four
meetings of the Transitional Committee (TC) were to
follow to determine how its money would be disbursed.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

But the issues in the TC-4 meeting, which spilled over

into an ad hoc TC-5 meeting as well, highlight how the
newly operationalised fund, while signalling optimism at
COP28 and a diplomatic victory for its Emirati president,
has crucial issues. First, it will be hosted by the World
Bank for an interim period of four years and will be
overseen by an independent secretariat. The Bank is
expected to charge a significant overhead fee.
Developing countries resisted this proposition at first
before yielding at the TC-5 meeting, in exchange for
some concessions. Second, while some countries have
committed amounts to the fund — from $10 million by
Japan to $100 million each by Germany and the UAE —
whether they will be periodically replenished is not clear.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The committed amounts are also insufficient,

totalling $450 million (for now) against an actual
demand of several billion dollars. This shortfall,
though it is premature to deem it so, comes against
the backdrop of developed countries missing their
2020 deadline to mobilise a promised $100 billion in
climate finance and managing to deliver only $89.6
billion in 2021. Next, the contributions are voluntary
even as every country has been invited to
contribute. Finally, the World Bank will have to meet
some conditions on managing the fund, including a
degree of transparency it has not brooked so far,
and submit a report to the Parties to the Paris
Agreement.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

If its stewardship is determined to be unsuitable, the

fund can ‘exit’ the World Bank. The L&D fund’s
contents need to be easily accessible to those who
need it most, in timely fashion, sans pedantic
bureaucratic hurdles, and in sufficient quantities. As
things stand, there is little guarantee that any of
these requirements will be met. While the L&D fund
is finally online, a lot more needs to be done.
Summary:

The COP28 climate talks in the UAE marked the operationalization of the Loss
and Damage (L&D) fund, addressing the impacts of climate change. Led by the
G-77 bloc, efforts resulted in its launch after COP27. However, challenges
persist: the World Bank hosts it for four years, facing resistance for significant
overhead fees. Initial commitments, totaling $450 million, fall short of the needed
billions. Contributions are voluntary, and the fund's accessibility and
transparency hinge on World Bank conditions. Despite the fund's launch,
concerns linger about meeting critical requirements for timely and effective
climate response.

The tone of the passage is critical and cautious.

 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Article for Skimming

Patchy expansion

A broad growth base is a

must to sustain momentum
and reduce inequality
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The latest provisional estimates of GDP for the quarter ended

September 30, released by the National Statistical Office, project
real economic growth at 7.6%, a slight deceleration from the 7.8%
logged in the preceding three months. Gross Value Added (GVA)
across the eight broad sectors of the economy also reflected a
marginal slowing, with second-quarter GVA registering a 7.4%
expansion, 40 basis points slower than the April-June period’s
7.8%. Robust double-digit expansions in manufacturing, mining,
utilities and construction offset the loss of momentum across the
other four sectors and helped ensure that the year-on-year growth
in GVA comfortably exceeded the 7% pace for a second straight
quarter. Manufacturing, buoyed by a favourable base effect due to
the contraction in the year-earlier period, was the strongest
performer by registering growth of 13.9%, a nine-quarter high.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

And construction witnessed its best showing in five quarters,

expanding 13.3%. Of the four other sectors, the crucial ones
of agriculture and the two services sectors of trade, hotels,
transport and communication, and financial, real estate and
professional services saw the pace of growth almost halving
from the fiscal first quarter. While year-on-year growth in the
agriculture, livestock and fishing sector slowed sharply to an
18-quarter low of 1.2%, the sector also experienced a
sequential contraction for the third straight quarter,
underscoring the precarity plaguing large portions of those
earning from farming and allied activities in the rural
hinterland.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The slowdown in two key components of the services

economy — trade, hotels, transport and communication saw
growth slide to 4.3%, from 9.2% in the June quarter, and the
expansion in financial and realty services more than halved
from the preceding period to 6% — also merits a closer watch
as the post-pandemic rebound in services appears to have
lost steam. Adding to the need to view the headline growth
number with circumspection is the fact that the lynchpin
private final consumption expenditure, the single-largest
component of demand in the economy, is struggling for
traction. Growth in private consumption spending slowed
appreciably to 3.1% in the September quarter, from 6% in the
preceding three-month period, as rural demand remained
affected by the vagaries of a below-average monsoon.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The NSO data also reveal that the recent economic

momentum owes its fillip in large measure to front-loaded
government spending, both in terms of consumption demand
and asset-creating capital investments. The challenge for
policymakers will be to help broaden the growth base so as to
ensure that all boats are lifted equally, both to sustain the
momentum and reduce inequality.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Today's Descriptive Question

Write an essay of 200 words highlighting the

present state of climate change and describing how a
climate crisis can be averted.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

The present state of climate change is dire, marked by rising

global temperatures, extreme weather events, and melting ice
caps. Urgent action is imperative to avert a climate crisis.

Firstly, transitioning to renewable energy sources is crucial.

Governments and industries must invest in solar, wind, and
hydroelectric power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Additionally, reforestation efforts can absorb carbon dioxide and
mitigate deforestation's impact. International collaboration is
essential, with nations committing to and enforcing emission
reduction targets.

Individuals play a role through sustainable lifestyle choices,

promoting eco-friendly practices, and advocating for policy
changes.
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Education is key in fostering climate consciousness. A

collective global effort, guided by science and sustainability,
offers the best chance to avert a climate crisis and safeguard
the planet for future generations.
Please write a letter to the manager of a bank, complaining about the lack of
sitting arrangements in the branch.

[Your Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
Date
The Manager
[Bank Name]
[branch Address]
[City, State, PIN Code]
Subject: Request for Improved Seating Arrangements
Dear Sir/ Ma’am
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my concern about the
lack of adequate seating arrangements at your branch. On my recent visits, I
observed a shortage of seats, leading to inconvenience for customers,
especially during peak hours. This not only affects the overall customer
experience but also poses challenges for elderly and disabled individuals.
I kindly request your attention to this matter and propose an increase in seating
capacity to enhance customer comfort. Your prompt action in addressing this
issue would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

Match the words with their meanings.

Column A Column B

Upfront to stop something from having any effect

Inkling to depend on something completely

Unfounded certain to happen and unable to be avoided or

prevented

Negate a slight knowledge of something that is happening

or about to happen

Hinges on not based on reason or fact

 THE HINDU EDITORIAL LIVE DAILY @ 7 AM

VOCABULARY FOR ALL

1. Steadfast:
2. Brooked:
3. Stewardship:
4. Pedantic:
5. Patchy:
6. Robust:
7. Offset:
8. Buoyed:
9. Precarity:
10. Plaguing:
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CONTENT - NIMISHA
BANSAL