The Hindu Editorial (Grassroots peace) – June 20, 2023

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The Hindu Editorial (Grassroots peace) – June 20, 2023:

grassroots (plural noun) – the most basic level of an organisation.
schedule (verb) – plan for, arrange , organize; fix a time for.
at/in/to the forefront of (phrase) – be in a leading/front/important position in an important activity; spearhead, van guard, front line, leading position.
forefront (noun) – fore, front, front line; a place of importance; a place of prominence.
challenge (verb) – object to, disagree with, protest against, dispute.
deployment (noun) – the act of employing forces/troops into effective action.
resource (noun) – a source of help/support; supporting/helping/facility; staff, people.
at hand (phrase) – readily available, at one’s disposal, nearby, close by.
at one’s disposal (phrase) – readily available for your use at any time; able to help you at any time; accessible, usable, on hand, handy.
mammoth (adjective) – huge, enormous, massive, colossal.
exercise (noun) – task, assignment, piece of work.
welcome (verb) – receive, embrace, usher in.
borne past participle of bear (verb) – absorb, support, take on, carry, handle.
tier (noun) – level, grade, step.
sought past and past participle of seek (verb) – ask for, request, solicit, appeal for.
stark (adjective) – clear, distinct, evident, obvious, striking.
in contrast (phrase) – when compared to another.
normalise (verb) – to cause something previously considered abnormal or unacceptable as normal.
decade (noun) – a period of ten years.
put up (phrasal verb) – nominate, propose, put forward, recommend.
nomination (noun) – an official suggestion of someone as a candidate in an election.
amid (preposition) – in the middle of, surrounded by; during.
intimidation (noun) – threatening, frightening, menacing, terrifying, scaring, domineering, browbeating, bullying, pressurizing, coercion, harassment, tormenting.
grievance (noun) – complaint, protestation, protest, criticism, problem, objection.
turn the spotlight on (phrase) – to call attention to something.
deteriorating (adjective) – declining, weakening, dwindling, flagging, languishing.
law and order (noun) – a condition in which the existing rules, regulations, norms and related legal codes are recognized and observed for the sustenance of peace, orderliness and security of lives and property in society.
nudge (verb) – encourage, push, prompt, prod, coax.
confrontation (noun) – clash, fight, conflict, tussle, skirmish.
Panchayati Raj (noun) – the system of local self-government of villages in rural India as opposed to urban and suburban municipalities.
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) or Three-tier PR structure (noun) – The system has three levels: Gram Panchayat (village level), Mandal Parishad or Block Samiti or Panchayat Samiti (block level), and Zila Parishad (district level). It was formalized in 1992 by the 73rd amendment to the Indian Constitution.
The 73rd and the 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts (CAA), 1992 (noun) – These acts prescribe the states to establish a three-tier system of Panchayats at the village, intermediate and district levels and Municipalities in the urban areas respectively. States are expected to devolve adequate powers, responsibilities and finances upon these bodies so as to enable them to prepare plans and implement schemes for economic development and social justice. These Acts provide a basic framework of decentralisation of powers and authorities to the Panchayati Raj/Municipal bodies at different levels.
decentralisation (noun) – the process of distributing or dispersing functions, powers, people or things away from a central location or authority.
stakeholder (noun) – a person with an interest in something.
functionary (noun) – official, office-bearer, office-holder, administrator.
descend into (phrasal verb) – (of a situation) fall, slide, degenerate, deteriorate, decline.
lawlessness (noun) – anarchy, absence of government, disorder, mobocracy, mayhem.
chaos (noun) – disorder, disarray, turmoil, disorganization, disruption.