The Hindu Editorial (Democratic backsliding) – Jan 22, 2024

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The Hindu Editorial (Democratic backsliding) – Jan 22, 2024:

backsliding (noun) – a return to a previous lower state; a return to a less developed condition; retrogression, reversion, regression, relapse.
the state (noun) – the government.
wield (verb) – use, handle, exercise, exert, deploy, apply, have, hold, control.
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) (noun) – It regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution by individuals, associations and companies.
curb (noun) – constraint, restriction, limitation, control.
civil society body/organization (CSO) (noun) – non-governmental organizaiton (NGO); any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level.
civil society (noun) – civil society refers to space for collective action around shared interests, purposes, and values, generally distinct from government and commercial for-profit actors. It refers to a wide array of organizations: community groups, non-governmental organizations [NGOs], labour unions, indigenous groups, charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, and foundations. Civil society – sometimes called the “third sector” (after government and commerce) – has the power to influence the actions of elected policy-makers and businesses.
denote (verb) – indicate, represent, suggest, signify, point to.
erode (verb) – (gradually) reduce, undermine, weaken, spoil, deteriorate, wear out.
civil liberty (noun) – freedoms guaranteed to the citizens by the Constitution to protect them from the government.
suspend (verb) – remove, prohibit, debar, eliminate, prevent.
Centre for Policy Research (CPR) (noun) – Founded in 1973, the CPR is a “non-profit, non-partisan, independent institution dedicated to conducting research that contributes to high quality scholarship, better policies, and a more robust public discourse about the issues that impact life in India”. This Delhi-based think tank works with government departments, autonomous institutions, charitable organisations and universities in India and across the globe.
justification (noun) – reason, explanation, rationale, basis, grounds, vindication.
move (noun) – action, act, step, measure.
equate (verb) – compare, relate, consider/regard as the same as.
affairs (noun) – events, incidents, happenings, occurrences, concerns, matters, activities.
current affairs (noun) – important political or social events that are currently occurring in the world.
entity (noun) – organization, institution, body, establishment, outfit.
farcical (adjective) – ridiculous, preposterous, absurd, laughable.
premier (adjective) – top, highest, main, leading, foremost, primary.
think tank (noun) – a panel of experts who provide advice and ideas on political, social or economic issues.
has been around/had been around (phrase) – to have a lot of experience (of different situations).
exemplar (noun) – perfect example, textbook example, definitive example, epitome, pattern, model, criterion.
public-spirited (adjective) – community-minded, socially concerned, humanitarian, selfless, generous.
feed into (verb) – to have an effect/influence on something.
ecosystem (noun) – complex situation/environment.
stakeholder (noun) – a person with an interest in something.
divergent (adjective) – different, differing, varying, contradictory.
interest (noun) – common concerns (in politics/business).
consensus-building (noun) – a process involving a good-faith effort to meet the interests of all stakeholders and seek a unanimous agreement.
consensus (noun) – an idea or opinion that is shared by all the people in a group, agreement, concurrence.
informed (adjective) – knowledgeable, well educated, well versed; having knowledge of a subject or situation.
debate (noun) – dialogue, discussion, discourse, deliberation, talks.
hallmark (noun) – distinctive feature, characteristic, trait, attribute, quality.
effectively (adverb) – practically, virtually, in effect, actually, in reality.
shut down (phrasal verb) – close, discontinue, cease operation, stop.
cripple (verb) – ruin, destroy, spoil; weaken, paralyse, disable.
bound to (adjective) – sure, likely, guaranteed.
no longer (phrase) – not any more.
open to (adjective) – receptive to, amenable, responsive, available.
fit into (phrasal verb) – to be part of a group; to be accepted by the people in a group.
broader superlative adjective of broad (adjective) – comprehensive, extensive, wide, wide-ranging, broad-ranging.
all-too-familiar (adjective) – excessively well-known
silence (verb) – suppress, stifle, stop, muzzle, muffle.
liking (noun) – disposition, inclination, penchant, partiality, interest, preference, affection.
human rights (noun) – human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.
ideological (adjective) – relating to a system of ideas (ideology).
perhaps (adverb) – maybe, possibly, probably, conceivably, it is possible (that).
DNA (abbreviation) – Deoxyribonucleic acid (abbreviated as DNA)heredity, gene; (figuratively) fundamental nature.
regime (noun) – government, system.
paranoid (adjective) – over-suspicious, distrustful, worried, extremely fearful, nervous, insecure.
interfere (adverb) – impede, obstruct, get in the way of, hinder, disturb, influence, affect.
channel (verb) – transmit, pass through, conduct, direct, guide.
successive (adjective) – subsequent, consecutive, continuous.
provision (noun) – clause, condition, stipulation, requirement, term.
stringent (adjective) – strict, severe, extreme, tough, rigorous.
amendment (noun) – revision, change, modification.
International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) (noun) – Since 1952 the ICJ has performed a unique and prominent role as a nongovernmental organization (NGO) defending human rights and the rule of law worldwide. 60 eminent judges and lawyers – from all parts of the world and all legal systems – with unparalleled knowledge of the law and human rights.
denounce (verb) – condemn, criticize, censure, castigate, hit out at, discredit, find fault with, slam.
incompatible (adjective) – opposed, contrasting, conflicting, divergent, different, differing, varying, inconsistent, contradictory.
international law (noun) – International law defines the legal responsibilities of States (Countries) in their conduct with each other, and their treatment of individuals within State (Countries) boundaries. International law’s domain encompasses a wide range of issues of international concern, such as human rights, disarmament, international crime, refugees, migration, problems of nationality, the treatment of prisoners, the use of force, and the conduct of war, among others. International law also regulates the global commons, such as the environment and sustainable development, international waters, outer space, global communications and world trade.
impose (verb) – force, apply, enforce, exact.
extraordinary (adjective) – unusual, uncommon, surprising, rare, strange.
obstacle (noun) – hurdle, difficulty, problem, barrier, impediment, obstruction, hindrance.
actor (noun) – participants (in an action).
the dust settles (phrase) – things calm down.
World Vision India (WVI) (noun) – a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that focusses on children’s issues. The U.S.-based World Vision is one of the world’s largest Christian voluntary groups with a presence in over 100 countries. It has been operational in India for the past 70 years.
on the one hand (phrase) – it is used to introduce the first of two contrasting different, points, facts, or ways of looking at something. It is always followed later by “on the other hand” or ‘on the other’.
seek (verb) – try, aim, attempt.
recognition (noun) – (formal) acknowledgement, acceptance, admission.
Vishwaguru (noun) – a reformer and teacher/master to the entire world.
calling card (noun) – identification; demonstration, proof, evidence.
G-20 (noun) – The G20, formed in 1999, is a group of twenty of the world’s largest economies that meets regularly to coordinate global policy on trade, health, climate, and other issues. It brings together the world’s major advanced and emerging economies. The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, UK and USA. The G20 Countries together represent around 90% of global GDP, 80% of global trade, and two thirds of the world’s population.
host (noun) – conductor, organizer, arranger (an event).
hypersensitive (adjective) – intolerant; inflexible, dogmatic, uncompromising, unforgiving, unsympathetic.
indices plural of index (noun) – a data figure reflecting something compared with a standard or base value; pointer, indicator.
unwilling (adjective) – reluctant, disinclined, hesitant, against.
acknowledge (verb) – accept, recognize, realize.
perception (noun) – feeling, thought, belief, understanding, comprehension, interpretation.
downgrade (verb) – relegate, lower, assign a less important position to.
autocracy (noun) – dictatorship, monocracy, authoritarianism, tyranny, totalitarianism, despotism
erosion (noun) – decline, decrease, deterioration, disintegration, weakening.
shut off (verb) – stop, discontinue, cease, barricade, close up/off, block off, seal, bar.
flimsy (adjective) – unconvincing, unsatisfactory, unsubstantial; feeble, weak, poor, lame.
grounds (noun) – reason, cause, basis, motive, pretext, purpose.
textbook (adjective) – most typical, standard, conventional, classic, model, exemplary, quintessential
guarantee (verb) – assure, promise, pledge, vow.
amplify (verb) – increase, raise, intensify, heighten, escalate.
narrative (noun) – a representation of a particular situation; portrayal, account, description, statement.
bias (noun) – prejudice, partiality, unfairness, one-sidedness, bigotry, intolerance, discrimination.
invoke (verb) – cite, mention, refer to, point to, adduce, turn to, resort to.
conspiracy (noun) – unlawful plan, intrigue, collaboration/deception.
tarnish (verb) – damage, injure, mar, spoil, ruin, harm, stain, taint, defame.
image (noun) – public impression, persona, identity, reputation, stature, fame.
reflect (verb) – indicate, show, display, demonstrate, represent, exhibit.