The Hindu Editorial (Data hygiene) – Jun 05, 2026

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The Hindu Editorial (Data hygiene) – Jun 05, 2026:

data hygiene (noun) – the process of ensuring the cleanliness, accuracy, and quality of data by removing errors, inconsistencies, or manipulations; data cleanliness, data accuracy, data validity.
hygiene (noun) – cleanliness; in this context, it refers to the practice of maintaining the accuracy, consistency, and quality of data; upkeep, maintenance, sanitation, validity.
census (noun) – an official count or survey of a population, typically recording various details of individuals; population count, demographic survey.
enumerator (noun) – a person employed in taking a census of the population; census-taker, surveyor.
face (verb) – to deal with, confront, encounter, tackle, cope with.
in the name of (phrase) – under the guise of, bearing the title of, on behalf of, for the sake of.
re-verification (noun) – the act of verifying or checking again; re-checking, re-examination, re-validation.
disturbing (adjective) – worrying, alarming, disconcerting, unsettling, troubling.
such as (phrase) – for example, for instance, like.
houselisting (noun) – the process of numbering and listing houses and households prior to the actual population enumeration in a census; property listing, dwelling count.
Housing Census (HLO) (noun) – officially known as Houselisting Operations, it is the first phase of the decennial Census of India designed to collect systematic data on housing conditions, basic amenities, and household assets prior to the population enumeration.
under way (phrase) – in progress, going on, happening, occurring, taking place.
household (noun) – a family or a group of people living together in a single residence; family, house, occupants.
show something in a poor light (phrase) – make something look bad, portray negatively, damage the reputation of, bring disrepute to.
legitimate (adjective) – valid, reasonable, justifiable, sensible, lawful.
study (noun) – investigation, research, inquiry, review, analysis.
reflect (verb) – show, display, indicate, demonstrate, reveal.
perception (noun) – impression, viewpoint, understanding, notion.
arise from (verb) – originate from, stem from, result from, emerge from.
circular (noun) – notice, directive, order, notification.
Director of Census Operations (organization) – the official state-level authority operating under the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, responsible for the planning, organizing, and executing of the decennial population census operations within a state; state census directorate, regional census authority.
official (noun) – officer, administrator, executive, functionary, bureaucrat.
regarding (preposition) – concerning, about, with respect to, with reference to.
field data (noun) – information or measurements collected directly from external, real-world environments rather than in a laboratory or controlled setting; empirical data, raw data.
apparently (adverb) – seemingly, evidently, outwardly, allegedly, ostensibly.
objective (noun) – aim, goal, target, purpose, intention.
appropriate (adjective) – suitable, proper, fitting, correct, apt.
questionnaire (noun) – a set of printed or written questions with a choice of answers, devised for the purposes of a survey or statistical study; survey form, feedback form, inquiry sheet.
however (adverb) – nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, but, still.
assumption (noun) – premise, belief, expectation, supposition, presumption.
for example (phrase) – for instance, as an example, to illustrate.
nearby (adverb) – close at hand, close by, not far away, in the neighbourhood.
defecation (noun) – the discharge of faeces from the body; excretion, discharging bodily waste, answering the call of nature, stool.
latrine (noun) – toilet, washroom, lavatory, restroom.
seem (verb) – appear, look, give the impression of being, look like.
present (verb) – show, display, exhibit, put forward, submit.
raise concerns (verb) – to express anxiety, worry, or objections about a particular issue; express apprehension, voice doubts, highlight worries, provoke fears.
concern (noun) – worry, anxiety, apprehension, fear.
data integrity (noun) – the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of data throughout its lifecycle; data accuracy, data quality, data validity.
integrity (noun) – honesty, good character, sincerity, or fairness; in this context, it refers to the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of information; trustworthiness, reliability, dependability, authenticity.
reliability (noun) – dependability, trustworthiness, authenticity, accuracy, credibility.
sensitive (adjective) – delicate, tricky, complicated, difficult.
exercise (noun) – task, activity, process, operation, undertaking.
episode (noun) – incident, event, occurrence, happening, affair.
bring to the fore (phrase) – draw attention to, highlight, emphasize, bring to light, spotlight.
efficacy (noun) – effectiveness, success, productiveness, usefulness, power.
long-running (adjective) – long-lasting, unending, continuous, continuing, enduring.
campaign (noun) – drive, movement, push, initiative, crusade.
open defecation (noun) – the human practice of defecating outside (in the open environment) rather than into a toilet; relieving oneself outdoors, outdoor defecation.
tangible (adjective) – real, actual, solid, concrete, measurable.
unrealistic (adjective) – impractical, illogical, irrational, unreasonable, far-fetched.
administrative (adjective) – organizational, managerial, operational, bureaucratic, governmental.
funding (noun) – financial support, financing, backing, capital, investment.
classify (verb) – categorize, group, grade, sort, index.
on the basis of (phrase) – based on, by virtue of, relying on, thanks to.
parameter (noun) – criterion, factor, specification, guideline, framework.
Open Defecation Free (ODF) (noun) – an official status awarded to communities or villages that have completely eliminated the practice of open defecation, ensuring all households and public institutions use safe technology options for the disposal of faeces (stools); sanitation milestone, open-defecation-free status.
ODF Plus (noun) – an extension program of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) focusing on sustaining the open defecation free (ODF) status and ensuring solid and liquid waste management (SLWM) across villages.
ODF Plus Model (noun) – a specific category of ODF Plus villages that effectively sustain their open defecation free status while maintaining comprehensive solid and liquid waste management and exhibiting a visually clean environment with minimal litter.
whether (conjunction) – used to introduce a doubt or choice between alternatives; if.
classification (noun) – categorization, grouping, sorting, grading, taxonomy.
reflect reality (phrase) – represent the actual situation, mirror the truth, show the true picture, be factually correct.
come into conflict (phrase) – clash, disagree, contradict, be at odds.
responsibility (noun) – duty, task, burden, obligation, accountability.
policymaker (noun) – a person who is responsible for formulating policies, especially in politics or government; legislator, decision-maker, administrator.
credible (adjective) – believable, plausible, reliable, trustworthy, dependable.
sensitise (verb) – make someone aware of, make responsive to, educate about, impart knowledge about.
public policy (noun) – a strategy, rule, or official course of action implemented by a government to address public issues; government strategy, state policy, administrative directive.
welfare (noun) – social security, public assistance, well-being, benefit, social support.
formulate (verb) – create, prepare, devise, develop, frame.
ultimately (adverb) – eventually, in the end, finally, at last.
recognise (verb) – acknowledge, admit, accept, realize, understand.
significance (noun) – importance, consequence, relevance, magnitude, seriousness.
hardly (adverb) – barely, scarcely, only just; practically not.
reiteration (noun) – the process of repeating something for clarity or emphasis; repetition, repeating, restatement, retelling.
quite (adverb) – very, completely, entirely, totally, fairly.
liberal (adjective) – generous, broad-minded, flexible, open-handed, tolerant.
enhance (verb) – increase, boost, raise, improve, amplify.
allowance (noun) – a sum of money paid regularly to a person to meet needs or expenses; payment, grant, stipend, subsidy.
timely (adjective) – prompt, punctual, well-timed, happening at the right time.
conscious (adjective) – aware, mindful, sensible, observant.
outlay (noun) – expenditure, expenses, spending, outgoings, cost.
reliable (adjective) – dependable, trustworthy, credible, authentic, steadfast.
publicly (adverb) – openly, in public, transparently, for all to see.
targeted (adjective) – aimed, directed, focused, concentrated on a specific group or objective.
inclusive (adjective) – all-embracing, comprehensive, all-inclusive, taking everything into account.
policymaking (noun) – the act of creating laws or setting standards for a government or business; drafting policies, formulation of rules, decision-making.
message (noun) – communication, statement, intimation, signal, point.
data sanitisation (noun) – the deliberate alteration, hiding, or deletion of specific data points to alter its original reality, typically to make a situation look better than it is; manipulation, doctoring, data whitewashing.
sanitisation (noun) – sterilization, disinfection, cleaning; in this context, it refers to the deliberate alteration or filtering of data to hide negative facts and present a misleadingly positive picture; manipulation, doctoring, alteration, whitewashing.
undertake (verb) – attempt, try, embark on, commence, adopt, assume, engage, start/begin.
under the guise of (phrase) – under the pretext of, using something as a pretext, excuse, or camouflage to hide the true purpose; in the name of, behind the facade of.