The Hindu Editorial (Milestones and U-turns) – Sep 20, 2024

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The Hindu Editorial (Milestones and U-turns) – Sep 20, 2024:

milestone (noun) – a very significant stage or event in the development of something or someone.
U-turn (noun) – reversal, reversal of policy, volte-face, about-face, change of mind, turnaround; withdrawal, pulling back, back down.
term (noun) – tenure, period of/in office; period, time, stint, spell.
optics (noun) – the way in which something (political action/situation) is recognized by the general public.
dynamics (noun) – basic/fundamental cause or force that triggers change within a system.
gather pace (phrase) – accelerate, speed up, pick up speed, get moving.
eager (adjective) – keen, enthusiastic, interested, zealous, passionate, earnest.
claim (verb) – assert, affirm, state.
seamless (adjective) – flawless, smooth, ideal, faultless, consistent, continuous, immaculate, impeccable.
mark (noun) – sign, indication, evidence, proof.
governance (noun) – the act of governing something; administration.
arbitrary (adjective) – random, capricious, whimsical, subjective, unpredictable, unreasoned, irrational.
renewable energy (noun) – green energy, clean energy; energy generated from natural resources (such as water, wind & solar energy).
infrastructure (noun) – the basic physical or organisational structure or framework that a country or organization needs in order to function properly. For a whole nation, it includes all the physical systems such as buildings, roads & railways networks, utilities, etc.
welfare (noun) – (noun) – a government program that provides (financial) assistance to individuals and families in need; social security, government/state benefit, public assistance.
coalition (noun) – alliance, association, union, partnership.
prove a point (phrase) – to show that you are right or that you can do something.
rethink (noun) – reconsideration, review, re-examination, reassessment, re-evaluation, reappraisal.
endorse (verb) – approve, authorize, support, uphold, ratify, sanction.
partisan (adjective) – biased, prejudiced, one-sided, discriminatory, preferential, bigoted, partial.
simultaneous (adjective) – concurrent, coinciding, parallel, happening at the same time, side by side.
(Legislative) Assembly (noun) – Assembly/Vidhan Sabha; a legislative body in the states and union territories of India.
make clear (phrase) – explain, elucidate, describe, spell out, clarify.
Uniform Civil Code (UCC) (noun) – Uniform Civil Code or UCC is to provide one law for all the religious communities governing the issues of marriage, adoption, inheritance, divorce etc. Article 44 of the Indian constitution says, “The state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.” Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy, described in Part IV of the Constitution.
functionary (noun) – office-holder, office-bearer, administrator, representative.
put a brave face on something (phrase) – try to be confident/happy despite the fact that you are actually in a difficult situation; pretence, masquerade, false display/front, facade, guise.
wish away (phrasal verb) – to desire or hope that a problematic issue or situation will disappear without (you) doing anything about it
negotiation (noun) – discussion, dialogue, meeting, talks, deliberation, consultation, conversation.
compromise (noun) – agreement, understanding, settlement, middle ground, deal.
consensus (noun) – an idea or opinion that is shared by all the people in a group, agreement, concurrence.
diverse (adjective) – relating to the existence/presence of different people (from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives ranging from race to age to gender to hometown to educational experience) within group.
democracy (noun) – a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through fairly & freely elected representatives.
lead to (verb) – cause, result in to, bring about, give rise to.
collision (noun) – conflict, clash, opposition, disagreement.
quietly (adverb) – silently.
unwilling (adjective) – reluctant, hesitant, resistant, averse, disinclined.
own up (phrasal verb) – confess, admit to, accept, acknowledge.
flexibility (noun) – adjustability, adaptability, openness, changeability, versatility.
rigidity (noun) – inflexibility, strictness, sternness, toughness.
talk up (phrasal verb) – push, promote, boost, hype, publicize.
virtuous (adjective) – righteous, good, ethical, upright, high-minded, right-thinking, lawful.
populism (noun) – related to policies that supposedly represent the opinions of ordinary people
haunt (verb) – disturb, trouble, torture, beset, worry, burden, plague.
ghost (noun) – spectre, phantom, spirit, shadow.
of one’s own (phrase) – belonging to oneself alone
bombast (noun) – rhetoric, loftiness, hyperbole/extravagant language
course correction (noun) – the activity to modify, improve or rectify something (the plan of action).
resistance (noun) – opposition, refusal to accept, disinclination to accept, confrontation, defiance.
ally (noun) – partner, supporter.
Waqf Act, 1995 (noun) – it regulates waqf property in India. It establishes Waqf Boards in each State to oversee the administration of waqf properties within their jurisdiction.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (noun) – The proposed amendments seek to significantly reform the law by enhancing the Centre’s regulatory authority over waqf properties and, for the first time, permitting the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards.
lateral entry (noun) – (in bureaucracy) a practice that involves recruiting individuals from outside the traditional government service cadres to fill mid and senior-level positions.
bureaucracy (noun) – authorities, officials, officialdom, the people in charge, the administration, the establishment, the system, corridors of power.
in need of (phrase) – needing (something).
openness (noun) – honesty, transparency, clarity, forthrightness, straightforwardness, unambiguity.
beget (verb) – cause, bring about, lead to, result in, give rise to.
rigid (adjective) – stiff, hard, firm, inflexible, unyielding, unchangeable.
increasingly (adverb) – more and more, steadily more, continuously more, gradually more.
rather than (phrase) – instead of.
ideological (adjective) – relating to a system of ideas (ideology).
monolith (noun) – a very large thing.
articulate (verb) – express, voice, communicate, convey, talk of, mention.