Old traditions, new ties: On the importance of the India-Russia partnership

Narendra Modi must try and convince Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow on Monday reaffirms an old tradition of holding annual summits between India and Russia leaders. With Russia his first choice for a bilateral visit in his third tenure, he also breaks a tradition that Indian Prime Ministers travel to neighbouring countries on their first stand-alone visits in a tenure, indicating the importance of the India-Russia partnership. The 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit has another first — the first Modi-Putin meet since the Ukraine war. The 21st summit was in Delhi in December 2021, just before Russian President Vladimir Putin launched “special operations” on Ukraine. Since then, the two leaders have met just once, at the SCO summit in Uzbekistan, where Mr. Modi had stated that this was not the “era of war”. Russia’s growing dependence on China as a result of the war is also a concern for India, given tensions over the LAC. While there will be a scheduled framework of talks on bilateral issues (trade and energy relationships, space cooperation for Gaganyaan, and declining but substantial defence supplies), there will also be an opportunity to take stock of the war in Ukraine. Apart from its impact and western sanctions on global security, and shortages of food, fuel and fertilizers, India has been worried about its fallout on defence deliveries and spares from Russia. While an attempt to “Make in India” has made headway (Russian assault rifles and the India-Russia BrahMos missile), concerns over the reliability of supplies and the payments issue will need discussion. New Delhi’s concern over Indian recruitments by the Russian army is another issue, officials indicate.

Above all, Mr. Modi’s visit sends a geopolitical message given the contrast to another summit in Washington. On Tuesday, U.S. President Joseph Biden will welcome leaders of NATO countries for the transatlantic grouping’s 75th anniversary. With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Indo-Pacific leaders who are part of the western sanctions present, it will be a show of strength supposed to demonstrate Russia’s “isolation”. Mr. Modi has attempted a balance with his presence at the G-7 summit outreach in Italy last month and meeting Mr. Zelenskyy, and later sending an official delegation to the Peace Conference in Switzerland. The government has also shown its enduring commitment to traditional ties with Russia that stem from the 1971 Soviet Union Peace and Friendship treaty, by refusing to condemn the war at the UN and other multilateral forums, while continuing to engage with Russia bilaterally and at groupings such as the SCO, BRICS and the G-20. All eyes during Mr. Modi’s visit will then be on how he uses India’s particular multi-polar, unaligned perch to further the cause of “dialogue and diplomacy” and help hasten an end to the conflict that has divided the world.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Bilateral	Involving two groups of people or two countries.	Cooperative. Collective. Communal. Reciprocal.	Multilateral Unilateral
Headway	Forward movement; progress in a forward direction.	Progress. Advance. Process.	Setback Regression
Transatlantic	Crossing or spanning the Atlantic Ocean.	Overseas International	Doomestic Local
Isolation	The state of being separate and alone; the act of separating somebody/something.	Seclusion solitude	Intergration Inclusion
Outreach	An effort to bring services or information to people where they live or spend time.	Engagement Extension	Withdrawal Retreat

Title: ​ Laboured change: On the U.K. general election result

In his first speech after leading the Labour Party to its best ever performance in the U.K. general election, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was clear about the task before him: to “begin the work of change” for national renewal and rebuilding the country. With a more than generous mandate — 412 seats in the 650-member House, Mr. Starmer will be virtually unchallenged inside Parliament for his agenda on “wealth creation for the working classes”, taxing higher incomes, banning fossil fuel car sales by 2030 and building a new Border control agency. It should be equally clear that more than the Labour win, this is a Conservative loss. After its 14-year run in power, five Prime Ministers and considerable turmoil, the British voter clearly chose to punish the Conservatives led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for compounded errors: from the mishandling of Brexit and the economic crisis, a failure to support public services, especially health and schooling, to a series of scandals from ‘Partygate’, pornography in Parliament and the Post Office scandal. The rising cost of living was a major campaign issue, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of the Ukraine war and post-Brexit shortages, although Mr. Sunak said that the economy had turned a corner more recently. Immigration has been another big issue. While Mr. Starmer has disavowed Mr. Sunak’s plans to send “small boat arrivals” or illegal immigrants demanding asylum to countries such as Rwanda while they are processed, he will be under pressure to do more to cut down the numbers of migrants. The remarkable performance of ultra-right wing leader Nigel Farage, who won after losing seven times, and his party, Reform UK, that won more than 14% of the vote, albeit only four seats, will be a worry on this account, with its openly xenophobic rhetoric.

For many in India, the defeat of Mr. Sunak will feel somewhat personal, given their pride in his being the first British Prime Minister of Asian origin, with Indian ancestry — a bond he affirmed as well. Despite attempts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Sunak, the India-U.K. FTA could not be taken across the finish line. All eyes will be on how quickly Mr. Starmer’s government, that criticised the delay, would be able to do so, as its priorities will be in shoring up the economy. The India-UK Roadmap 2030, signed in 2021, will no doubt be tweaked. An early visit to India by new U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has already been outlooked by the Labour leadership, and it will be important for both countries which have completed their elections, to hit the floor running and frame their priorities for future ties.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Agenda	An agenda is a list or outline of items to be discussed or acted upon, typically at a meeting or event. It serves as a guide to help ensure that all important topics are covered in an organized and timely manner.	Schedule Program Itinerary Plan	Disorganization Disorder Chaos Confusion
Conservatives	Conservatives generally refer to individuals, groups, or political parties that advocate for traditional values, limited government intervention in the economy, and a cautious approach to change.	Traditionalists Right-wing Reactionaries Rightists	Progressives Liberals Left-wing Radicals
Affirmed	“Affirmed” means to state positively or with confidence, to assert something as true, or to uphold or confirm a decision or statement.	Confirmed Declared Asserted Upheld	Denied Rejected Refuted Disavowed

Title: ​Dangerous precedent: On the U.S President and majority ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court

The majority ruling by the United States Supreme Court that the President has either absolute or presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution raises disconcerting questions about the supremacy of the rule of law in the country. In a ruling based mainly on the doctrine of separation of powers and the need to insulate the Presidency from the fear of future prosecutions, and not the text of the U.S. Constitution, the court, dominated by conservative justices, by 6:3 majority has ruled in favour of presidential immunity. The verdict does not decide whether former President Donald J. Trump will enjoy immunity from prosecution for allegedly trying to interfere with or alter the outcome of the November 2020 presidential elections that he lost to Joe Biden. Instead, it lays down a threshold test for any intended prosecution of a President to see whether the act complained of involved the exercise of a core constitutional duty, or was an official or unofficial act. In respect of a President’s core constitutional duties, the immunity is absolute; for other official acts, he enjoys presumptive immunity, that is, he is presumed to be immune unless rebutted by facts; and for unofficial or private acts, there is no immunity at all. For official acts, any prosecution is permissible only if it does not intrude into the power and authority of the executive.

The majority has remanded issues that arise in the prosecution of Mr. Trump for his attempts to influence the electoral outcome, culminating in the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, to the trial court for analysis based on this ruling. The dissenting views speak with moral clarity when they question the claim that only immunity from criminal prosecution can enable a President to function in an unhesitating and bold manner. While it is valid to argue that the President should be free from intrusive probes and fear of trivial prosecution, it is inconceivable that such a powerful office should come with little accountability and the freedom to violate criminal law. Critics of the verdict see great peril for democracy in its implications. As the dissent asks, can a President take a bribe in lieu of a pardon, or authorise a rival’s assassination? The majority wants to protect the Presidency from any intrusion in the name of criminal prosecution, but what it fails to see is that Mr. Trump’s actions may have been destructive of his successor’s Presidency. While there is a passing mention of the possibility that he may have been acting in his capacity as a candidate or a party leader in some instances, it is astonishing that the verdict allows the use of the presidency as a shield even in matters that solely concern the election process.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Presumptive	The term “presumptive” generally refers to something based on reasonable grounds or evidence but not yet verified or confirmed. It often implies an assumption or hypothesis that is taken as true for the sake of argument or further investigation.	Assumed Supposed Hypothetical Inferred	Certain Confirmed Definite Proven
Assassination	Assassination refers to the deliberate killing of a prominent or influential person, often for political, ideological, or monetary reasons. The person targeted is usually a public figure such as a political leader, religious leader, or a significant public official.	Murder Killing Slaying Execution	Protection Preservation Safeguarding Security
Intrusion	Intrusion refers to the act of entering a place, situation, or activity where one is not welcome or has no right to be. It often involves violating someone’s privacy, space, or rights.	Invasion Encroachment Trespass Interference	Withdrawal Retreat Exit Departure

Title: Spirit of accommodation: On conduct in the 18th Lok Sabha

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha and the corresponding session of the Rajya Sabha were notable for the renewed spirit of parliamentary debate on display, notwithstanding the excessive combativeness and avoidable grandstanding by the government and the Opposition. Echoes of the election campaign continued too, as Rahul Gandhi, in his debut as the designated Leader of Opposition (LoP), mounted an aggressive critique of the NDA government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Modi in turn called into question the track record and intentions of the Congress, and Mr. Gandhi’s capacity. Both sides categorically declared fealty to the Constitution of India, while accusing each other of trying to undermine it. They also crossed swords over Hinduism and its political role. The rise of a strong Opposition — with no designated LoP earlier — and the return of coalition politics as the leading party lacks an absolute majority may restore the role of Parliament. The increase in Opposition numbers can help restore healthy traditions such as more Bills getting scrutinised by parliamentary standing committees. A robust Opposition can also act as an effective restraint on the government, preventing it from bulldozing opposition with its legislative agenda. The 17th Lok Sabha not only earned the dubious distinction of having seen the suspension of the most number of Opposition MPs (146 in a single session, including Rajya Sabha MPs) but also functioned without a Deputy Speaker, a post usually reserved for the Opposition. To underscore this point, the INDIA bloc predicated its support for Om Birla as the Speaker only on the condition that the government agreed to offer it the deputy chair. The stalemate eventually led to an election between Mr. Birla and Kodikunnil Suresh (Congress), which Mr. Birla won through a voice vote. The Opposition did not press for a division and rich parliamentary tradition was followed, with Mr. Modi, leader of the House, and Mr. Gandhi, LoP, escorting Mr. Birla to his Chair.

The roles of the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman gain additional prominence. The Opposition has urged them to be even-handed. The Opposition has also questioned the expunging of portions of Mr. Gandhi’s speech from the records by the Speaker. The threshold for removing parts of what is spoken in the House from official records should be very high. Following the deviation from the standard format by several members, the Speaker has constituted a committee to frame rules for oath-taking. Parliamentary speeches could do with more humour and less diatribe, but the fact that there was an expanded debate is encouraging. The Treasury and Opposition benches must understand that their place in the highest seat of democracy is to represent the people who sent them there. They must find a common sense of purpose and function in a spirit of accommodation.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Debate	A debate is a structured discussion where participants argue opposing viewpoints on a specific topic or issue. It involves presenting arguments, counterarguments, and evidence to support one’s position while addressing and refuting the opposing side’s points.	Discussion Argument Dispute Dialogue	Agreement Accord Consensus Unanimity
Combativeness	Combativeness refers to a disposition or inclination to engage in conflict, argument, or competition. It describes a person’s readiness to confront or oppose others, often with a sense of aggression or assertiveness.	Aggressiveness Belligerence Hostility Pugnacity	Peacefulness Passivity Amiability Agreeableness
Critique	A critique is a detailed analysis and assessment of something, typically a creative work, idea, or performance. The purpose of a critique is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses, provide constructive feedback, and offer insights that can help improve the subject being reviewed.	Review Evaluation Assessment Analysis	Praise Compliment Approval Acclaim
Fealty	Fealty refers to a sworn loyalty and allegiance, typically from a vassal to a lord in the context of feudal systems.	Loyalty Fidelity Allegiance Devotion	Disloyalty Betrayal Treachery Infidelity
Scrutinised	“Scrutinised” means examined or inspected closely and thoroughly. When something is scrutinised, it undergoes detailed and careful analysis to understand its components, identify any issues, or evaluate its quality and accuracy.	Examined Inspected Reviewed Analyzed	Ignored Overlooked Neglected Disregarded

Title: ​Open court: On Wimbledon 2024 

Wimbledon 2024 has begun with world tennis in the middle of a generational transition. There is no Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with the former having retired and the latter on a long valedictory lap which does not have SW19 as a pit stop. The 37-year-olds in Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are closer to the end of their careers, and have arrived in London with broken bodies. Djokovic is recovering from a knee surgery while Murray went under a surgeon’s scalpel to mend his back barely days ago. At what is set to be his Wimbledon swansong, Murray will only compete in doubles with his brother Jamie. Thus, the stranglehold the ‘Big Four’ had established by winning 19 of the 20 editions from 2003 to 2023 is likely to be loosened. Among women, this will be the first time since 1996 that neither of the famed Williams sisters will be in action. Starting from 2000, Venus and Serena won 12 singles titles and finished runner-up on eight occasions. Venus has not played since March 2024 and Serena since September 2022. In the year or two preceding their last matches, they were far from tournament-winning form. Yet, such has been their overarching excellence that they are the benchmark indices against which every grass-court career is measured.

As the stage appears set to identify the next era’s tennis greats, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz has staked claim most authoritatively. As a 20-year-old, he won Wimbledon in 2023 for his second Major (US Open 2022, the first), beating Djokovic over five pulsating sets, and last month he graduated further by claiming the French Open. In close proximity is Jannik Sinner, the lanky Italian who won the Australian Open in January and has since meticulously risen to the top of the singles rankings. A quarterfinalist and a semifinalist in his last two visits to Wimbledon, the 22-year-old recently proved that he was a serious challenger on the slick lawns by winning in Halle (Germany), his first title on grass. Sinner’s credentials will however be put to test as early as the second round against 2021 finalist and the quintessential grass-courter Matteo Berrettini. While the passing of the baton appears seamless among men, the battle of succession among women has multiple contenders. Five-time Slam winner Iga Swiatek is the undisputed No.1 but her grass-court nous is yet to fully develop. Second seed Coco Gauff’s best at Wimbledon is fourth round, which she first reached in 2019 as a 15-year-old qualifier. And with the withdrawal of Aryna Sabalenka — third seed and a two-time semifinalist — the field is open.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Mend	The word “mend” is a verb that generally means to repair something that is broken or damaged. It can also mean to improve a situation or heal an injury or a relationship.	Repair Fix Patch Restore	Break Damage Ruin Destroy
Stranglehold	“Stranglehold” is a noun that metaphorically refers to a complete and overwhelming control or dominance over a person, group, or situation. It implies a restrictive and often oppressive influence, making it difficult for the affected party to operate freely or independently.	Domination Control Grip Command	Freedom Liberty Release Independence
Credentials	“Credentials” is a noun that refers to the qualifications, achievements, or aspects of a person’s background that demonstrate their suitability for a particular role, position, or task.	Qualifications Certifications Documents References	Disqualification Incompetence Ineligibility Unfitness

Title:New beginnings: On India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 win

India’s long drought in ICC tournaments finally wound to a close on a glorious Saturday at Bridgetown in Barbados. The Men in Blue finally won a title, the ICC T20 World Cup, since the 2013 Champions Trophy at Birmingham in England. ‘Kapil’s Devils’ in the 1983 ODI World Cup and M.S. Dhoni’s men in the 2007 ICC World T20, were outsiders, who stunned the globe. Subsequently, every Indian squad has stepped into a multi-team cricket event as one of the favourites with the weight of expectations thrust upon by a gargantuan fandom and an Indian diaspora seeking a sense of identity. Last November in the 2023 ODI World Cup, India was the team in form but failed to get past Australia in the summit clash at Ahmedabad. If catharsis was essential, it finally happened in the West Indian islands as Rohit Sharma’s men snatched a seven-run win over a doughty South African unit. Every cog fell in place, Virat Kohli regained his touch with an excellent 76 even as wickets fell around him in the final. All-rounders Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya reiterated their value, and Suryakumar Yadav pouched a stupendous catch when South Africa was seemingly in sight of victory. Rohit led astutely while bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah delivered thunderbolts that left the South Africans dumbstruck.

Aiden Markram’s men just ran into a stronger opposition at the last hurdle and their capitulation was an acknowledgment of the superior attributes that Bumrah and company possessed. Young seamer Arshdeep Singh too revealed a mature head as Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller threatened to seize the game. South Africa is yet to win any significant ICC silverware but surely the men from the Rainbow Nation won hearts. They made it tough for India and if a few moments on the razor’s edge had changed, Markram may well have lifted the cup. For India, Rohit, Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja’s retirements from T20Is signal the end of an era. Coach Rahul Dravid, who bowed out, will be missed too. Close on the heels of the run-fests during the Indian Premier League on flat surfaces, the T20 World Cup hosted in the West Indies and the United States offered a twist. The 22-yards, drop-in pitches or abrasive surfaces, were never conducive for the massive sixes associated with T20Is even if batters like Rohit, as he did against Australia, seemed to perform on a different plane. The championship’s fairytale was the manner in which Afghanistan fought towards the semifinal. Men, who learnt cricket in the refugee camps in Pakistan, while also dealing with the Taliban, were resilient and sport was the winner.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Glorious	“Glorious” generally means having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration. It is often used to describe something splendid, magnificent, or full of glory. For example, a “glorious victory” refers to a victory that is exceptionally impressive and praiseworthy.	Magnificent Splendid Superb Majestic	Inglorious Shameful Disgraceful Humble
Gargantuan	“Gargantuan” means extremely large or enormous. It is used to describe something of immense size, volume, or extent. The term is derived from “Gargantua,” a giant from French literature.	Enormous Massive Colossal Gigantic	Tiny Small Petite Minute
Astutely	“Astutely” means in a manner that shows an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage. It implies being sharp, perceptive, and shrewd. For example, someone who navigates complex business negotiations astutely is skillfully and wisely handling the situation to achieve the best possible outcome.	Shrewdly Perceptively Wisely Insightfully	Foolishly Naively Clumsily Ineptly

Title: A fresh start: On the Goods and Services Tax Council meet 

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council was convened last week for the first time in nearly nine months. With 11 new State Ministers on board and a recalibrated NDA government at the Centre, the Council began afresh with a loaded agenda of clarifications, tweaks, forbearances, and other procedural changes, based on industry feedback and vetted by officials, that awaited its nod. Acknowledging that it could not conclude deliberations on all that had accumulated on its plate, the Council has resolved to meet again in August to take up the rest of the items. Yet, it is quite creditable that the Council could, over an afternoon preceded by Union Budget consultations with States, arrive at a consensus on a flurry of issues aimed at easing the lot of taxpayers, reducing litigation, and even providing tax relief on some items. To help students, hostel accommodation costing up to ₹20,000 a month has been exempted from GST altogether, along with railway services availed by passengers. A uniform 12% rate has been approved for packing cartons, milk cans, and solar cookers, doing away with confusing classification differences based on material or technologies.

Apart from several industry-specific measures, a few of which will kick in with retrospective effect, the Council also opted to waive interest and penalty on tax dues for the first three years of GST, provided they are paid by March 2025. Moreover, it lowered the stipulated pre-deposits for filing appeals, including those that will be filed with the upcoming GST Appellate Tribunals, and approved a new form for taxpayers to correct errors or oversights in previous returns. Beyond nitty-gritties, the Council also signed off on ending the anti-profiteering clause that required firms to pass on any tax cut gains to customers, and mandating biometric-based Aadhaar authentication for all GST registrations in a phased manner across India. The former will quell a difficult-to-implement industry irritant, and one hopes the latter will effectively ease the registration process that some say has become cumbersome in recent times, while curbing fraud perpetrated through fake invoicing. The ground-level impact of these moves may depend on the fine print that may follow, but the intent to simplify and declutter the seven-year old indirect tax regime is clear. It is refreshing that the Council also plans to take stock of the 2021 plan to rationalise the multiple-rate GST structure, that has been in cold storage for a while, when it meets next. The apex GST body must not only revive and expedite GST rate reforms but also incorporate a road map to bring excluded items such as petroleum and electricity into the GST net while rejigging tax rates.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Convened	“Convened” is a verb that means to bring together for a meeting or gathering. It often refers to the act of calling people to come together, especially for formal meetings or assemblies.	Assembled Gathered Summoned Called together Congregated	Disbanded Dispersed Scattered Adjourned
Deliberations	“Deliberations” refers to the process of carefully considering or discussing something, often in a formal or thorough manner. This term is commonly used in contexts such as decision-making meetings, jury discussions, or any situation where careful thought and discussion are necessary before reaching a conclusion or making a decision.	Discussions Debates Considerations Reflections	Impulses Hasty decisions Rashness Instincts
Cumbersome	“Cumbersome” is an adjective that describes something that is large, heavy, or difficult to handle. It can also refer to tasks, processes, or systems that are complicated, awkward, or inefficient, making them hard to manage or deal with.	Awkward Unwieldy Clumsy Bulky	Light Manageable Convenient Easy

Title: Net damage: On the fisheries dispute, India and Sri Lanka

The resumption of fishing off India’s eastern coast including the Palk Bay, after the annual 61-day ban on fishing, has led to the death of a sailor from the Sri Lanka Navy. The Sri Lankan Navy had carried out an operation on June 25 morning to “chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers” in Sri Lankan waters off Kankesanthurai, near Jaffna. A trawler-vessel was impounded and 10 fishermen apprehended, of whom eight were from Tamil Nadu and the rest from Andhra Pradesh. There have also been several cases of Indian (Tamil Nadu) fishermen dying too. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, sought the intervention of the External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, in releasing the vessel and the men. In his reply sent to the Chief Minister on Thursday, Mr. Jaishankar said the Indian High Commission had been seeking the early release of 34 fishermen in judicial remand and six others who were serving sentences.

This is an opportunity for the two countries to revive the negotiation process, exclusively to deal with the fisheries dispute, which became aggravated in the wake of the 1974 and 1976 bilateral agreements to demarcate their maritime boundary lines. Mr. Stalin has done well to remind Mr. Jaishankar to convene a meeting of the Joint Working Group, last held (virtually) over two years ago. The acts of Indian fishermen crossing the international maritime boundary line are clearly illegal; factors relating to protection of livelihood opportunities cannot be delinked from the importance of the preservation of the marine ecosystem. A gradual replacement of bottom trawlers being used by the Tamil Nadu fishermen is a must, but the fisherfolk require time to prepare for diversification — deep sea fishing, marine cage farming, seaweed cultivation and processing, and sea ranching. The experiences of the deep sea fishing project, being executed by the Union and Tamil Nadu governments, are clear enough to conclude that it is a failure. After nearly seven years of implementation, only 61 deep sea fishing vessels have been handed over to beneficiaries, with 19 more under construction. It would be thoughtful if the Union government clubs the project with an all-India programme, where the unit cost of a deep sea fishing vessel is ₹40 lakh higher, at least to get a better response even at this stage. The unit cost of a deep sea fishing vessel under the Central-State project is ₹80 lakh. New Delhi and Colombo can devise additional schemes to help the Northern Province’s fishermen even more. But what is more important is that the two countries, representatives of the fishing community and officials from Tamil Nadu and the Northern Province should meet soon to find a way out of the dispute.

 

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Resumption	The term “resumption” generally means the act of starting something again after it has been paused or interrupted.	Continuation Restart Renewal Reopening	Suspension Cessation Termination Halt
Poaching	Employee Poaching: The act of attracting or recruiting employees from another company, often by offering them better pay or benefits	Head-hunting Recruitment Talent acquisition Employee raiding	Retention Internal promotion Hiring freeze In-house hiring
Intervention	“Intervention” refers to the act of becoming involved in a situation to influence its outcome.	Mediation Interference Involvement Intercession	Noninterference Noninvolvement Neglect Ignorance
Demarcate	“Demarcate” means to set the boundaries or limits of something. It involves defining and marking the edges or distinctions between different areas, concepts, or objects.	Define Delimit Mark Outline	Unite Merge Blend Join

Title: Lip service: On the Emergency and government’s actions

The Emergency, imposed on June 25, 1975 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and which lasted 21 months till March 21, 1977, remains a blot on the history of democratic India. The rule by decree, the suspension of civil liberties and free speech, the arbitrariness of government actions, and the indiscriminate arrests of dissenters and Opposition figures using draconian preventive detention laws, among other measures, continue to haunt Indians who experienced it in all its vicious forms. The traumatic episode is a reminder of the responsibility of democratic institutions in always safeguarding the freedoms and rights of citizens. When freshly elected and returning Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla read out a resolution, on Wednesday, “condemning the imposition of Emergency” and termed it as an attack on the Constitution, one could have considered this as a note of caution about the perils of suspending civil liberties, and as a pledge that this would never be allowed to happen again. But seen in the light of Mr. Birla’s actions, when, as Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha, he indiscriminately used his powers to suspend several Opposition MPs, and the executive’s use of draconian laws to stifle dissent from civil society, the polity and the media, the resolution seems not much more than lip service against the Emergency. It seems more a political ploy to target the Congress party. Indeed, the ruling BJP in the recent past resorted to similar excesses without even the fig leaf of a declaration of Emergency.

If the government of the day is truly committed to undo the damages of the Emergency and not repeat its grave errors, it would have not taken recourse to the same measures in the recent past, seen in the attack on the free press, the use of enforcement and investigative agencies to selectively target Opposition representatives, and draconian preventive detention laws to keep political prisoners, activists and journalists in jail without trial, including by the foisting of charges against them. The BJP’s authoritarian actions are one reason why its electoral representation in the 18th Lok Sabha has been trimmed to below the majority mark. The 2024 general election verdict might not have been a decisive rejection of the ruling party — as it was in 1977 — but it is no less significant as it empowers those in responsible positions in Indian democratic institutions to resist authoritarianism. A more thoroughgoing Opposition in Parliament that questions ruling party high-handedness; a vigilant judiciary that ensures justice to the many unjustly held dissidents; and a civil society that pushes for the withdrawal of draconian preventive detention laws and a ruling party that coheres with these — only such substantive steps will enable India to decisively move on from the dark period of the Emergency.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Decree	A decree is an official order or decision issued by a legal authority, such as a government, a court, or a sovereign. Decrees are often used to enforce laws, declare policies, or address specific issues.	Order Command Directive Proclamation	Request Suggestion Proposal Petition
Arbitrariness	Arbitrariness refers to the quality of being based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system. It implies a lack of objective standards or principles guiding a decision, action, or judgment.	Whim Capriciousness Randomness Unpredictability	Fairness Consistency Objectivity Reasonableness
Detention	Detention refers to the act of keeping someone in custody or confinement, typically by authorities.	Confinement Custody Incarceration Restraint	Release Freedom Liberation Exoneration
Indiscriminately	Indiscriminately means acting without careful judgment or distinction, often resulting in random, haphazard, or unfair outcomes. It implies a lack of selective or thoughtful consideration, leading to actions or decisions that do not differentiate between different people, things, or situations.	Randomly Haphazardly Unselectively Arbitrarily	Selectively Discriminatively Thoughtfully Carefully
Coheres	“Coheres” is a verb that means to be united, form a whole, or make logical and consistent sense. It refers to things that stick together or work well together in a cohesive manner.	Unites Integrates Joins Merges	Disintegrates Separates Divides Disperses
Decisively	“Decisively” is an adverb that means in a manner that shows the ability to make decisions quickly, confidently, and effectively. It often implies a clear and firm resolution or action that leaves no room for doubt or hesitation.	Firmly Resolutely Confidently Conclusively	Hesitantly Tentatively Doubtfully Indecisively

Title: Call for consensus: On the Prime Minister’s pledge and the 18th Lok Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to govern by consensus even as the 18th Lok Sabha began its first session. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc have both reiterated their rhetoric on protecting the Constitution, which was one of the central themes of the recent campaign during the 2024 general election. While both sides say they seek consensus, and are loyal to the Constitution, a demonstration of any convergence between them on any key question of governance or politics, unfortunately, remains elusive. The first session was in fact marked by mutual hostility that carried over from the campaign. The NDA and the INDIA bloc sparred over the selection of the pro tem Speaker and now appear set for a face-off over the Speaker’s post. The Opposition has expressed willingness to support the NDA’s candidate in return for the post of Deputy Speaker. In the past, the Deputy Speaker’s post has mostly gone to a member of the Opposition. In the 16th Lok Sabha, the post went to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam; and in the 17th Lok Sabha, the post remained vacant for its entire term, unprecedented in the history of Indian Parliament. The BJP remains non-committal on supporting an Opposition candidate for Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Modi’s call for consensus and parliamentary debates can be a reassuring sign of a healthy democracy, but only if that statement is translated into tangible action. Union Minister Rajnath Singh, who has emerged as the government’s key interlocutor, has reached out to Opposition leaders, and such interactions should become frequent. Consensus may be unachievable in many instances, and may not even be necessary in some cases. By demonstrating a commitment to sharing power within the ruling alliance and with the Opposition, Mr. Modi could expand his political authority and legitimacy. Beyond the limited tactical question of the stability of the government, in which the BJP is shy of a majority by 32 seats, the building of coalitions should be treated as a cornerstone of India’s progress and prosperity. The first session of the new Lok Sabha should set the tone for extended debates, more room for disagreements and the pursuit of common ground across parties. The proceedings of the House and of Committees fell short on these counts during the last two terms of the Lok Sabha. As the leader of the ruling coalition, the BJP should demonstrate a renewed commitment to the norms and substance of Parliament and the Opposition should respond constructively.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Pledged	The word “pledged” refers to making a solemn promise or commitment to do something. It can also mean giving something as security for the fulfillment of a promise, particularly in financial contexts, where it often refers to putting up collateral for a loan.	PromisedCommittedVowedSworn	RenegedWithdrawnAbandonedDenied
Rhetoric	“Rhetoric” refers to the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing. It involves the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques to influence, persuade, or inform an audience.	OratoryEloquenceDiscoursePersuasion	InarticulatenessSilenceMutenessReticence
Hostility	“Hostility” refers to aggressive or unfriendly behavior, attitudes, or feelings. It denotes antagonism, opposition, or conflict, often manifesting in actions, words, or attitudes that are confrontational or antagonistic.	AntagonismEnmityAggressionAnimosity	FriendshipAmityPeaceHarmony
Unprecedented	“Unprecedented” means something that has never been done or known before; it describes an event, situation, or achievement that is entirely new and without any previous example.	UnparalleledUnmatchedUnrivaledExtraordinary	CommonOrdinaryRoutineTypical
Pursuit	“Pursuit” refers to the act of chasing or seeking something, typically with the goal of achieving, obtaining, or accomplishing it.	UnparalleledUnmatchedUnrivaledExtraordinary	CommonOrdinaryRoutineTypical