The Hindu Editorial (On the ballot) – Mar 18, 2024

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The Hindu Editorial (Food factor) – Mar 16, 2024:

on the ballot (phrase) – to be subject to a vote in an election.
ballot (noun) – the piece of paper used to record a vote.
ballot (noun) – vote, poll.
mark (verb) – indicate, signify, represent.
campaign (noun) – canvassing, electioneering, an act of soliciting (asking for/requesting) votes; an organized effort that seeks to influence the decision-making progress within a specific group.
perennial (adjective) – continuing, unending, never-ending, endless, ceaseless, lasting, everlasting, persisting, perpetual, constant, continual, unchanging, never-changing
affair (noun) – incident, event, episode, occurrence.
as if (phrase) – as would be the case if.
vindicate (verb) – confirm, endorse, approve, uphold, validate.
call (for) (noun) – requirement, demand, desire.
electioneering (noun) – election campaign, canvassing.
contentious (adjective) – controversial, disputable, debatable.
backdrop (noun) – context, conditions, factors, situation, environment, circumstances, background.
long-drawn adjective) – lengthy, extended, continuing, protracted, prolonged, persisting, lingering.
exercise (noun) – activity, work, practice, operation.
vibrant (adjective) – spirited, lively, high-spirited, energetic, dynamic, exciting, passionate, determined.
democracy (noun) – a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through fairly & freely elected representatives.
exhilarating (adjective) – encouraging, exciting, heartening, inspiring, fascinating.
diversity (noun) – 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; variety, variance, difference.
introspection (noun) – self-observation, self-analysis; contemplation.
sobering (adjective) – serious/sensible, thoughtful; logical/realistic, pragmatic.
prosperity (noun) – success, well-being, successfulness.
propaganda (noun) – the (deliberate & systemic) spreading of information (facts, ideas, rumours or lies) to influence public opinion.
blare (verb) – sound loudly, roar, resound, trumpet.
critique (noun) – analyse, evaluate, assess, appraise, review.
feeble (adjective) – weak, powerless, helpless; insubstantial, unsuccessful, ineffective.
uneven (adjective) – one-sided, unequal, unfair, ill-matched, lopsided, biased.
a level playing field (phrase) – a situation in which everyone has the equal chance of succeeding.
largely (adverb) – mostly, mainly, generally.
outcome (noun) – consequence, end result, implication, ramification, repercussion.
misuse (noun) – wrong use, abuse, exploitation, misemployment, misapplication.
state power (noun) – the power of a sovereign state to exercise authority within its borders.
influence (verb) – affect, sway, control, convince, persuade, talk around, prevail on, intimidate, brainwash.
actor (noun) – participants (in an action).
state actor (noun) – a state actor is a person who is acting on behalf of a governmental body.
non-state actor (noun) – an individual or organization that has significant political influence
bureaucracy (noun) – authorities, officials, officialdom, the people in charge, the administration, the establishment, the system, corridors of power.
inherent (adjective) – internal, structural, fundamental, basic; intrinsic, ingrained, deep-rooted.
the fact that (phrase) – used to refer to a specific situation under consideration/discussion.
alleged (adjective) – supposed, so-called, purported, reported, presumed.
procedural lapse (noun) – any failure to meet procedural standards; The rules prescribe the procedures to be complied with. The lapse in complying with the procedures will attract penal provisions of the Act and the Rules.
lapse (noun) – defect, failure, mistake, blunder, oversight.
state agencies/central agencies (plural noun) – the central agencies are organizations in the executive branch that co-ordinate the activities of, and provide guidance to the operating ministries and agencies; e.g. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Income Tax Department (IT) and etc.
tilt the scales/balance (phrase) – to change the balance of a situation, so that one side is gaining advantage.
revelation (noun) – disclosure, surprising fact, report, declaration, announcement.
so far (phrase) – until now, up to this point, hitherto
electoral bond (noun) – an electoral bond is designed to be a bearer instrument like a Promissory Note — in effect, it will be similar to a bank note that is payable to the bearer on demand and free of interest. It can be purchased by any citizen of India or a body incorporated in India. it allows limitless, secret donations to political parties, including (and especially) by corporations.
unconstitutional (adjective) – impermissible, unlawful, illegitimate, unauthorized, prohibited, forbidden.
paint (verb) – portray, represent, depict, render.
deeply (adverb) – seriously, intensely, strongly, awfully, terribly.
disturbing (adjective) – upsetting, discomfiting, disconcerting, unsettling, disquieting, troubling.
shrinking (adjective) – lessening, reducing, decreasing, diminishing.
given (preposition) – considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.
circumstances (noun) – context, conditions, factors, situation, environment, backdrop. background.
as such (phrase) – in itself, of itself, intrinsically, per se.
abrupt (adjective) – sudden, unexpected, surprising, unforeseen, unanticipated.
exit (noun) – withdrawal, pull-out, departure.
hurried (adjective) – sudden, rushed, abrupt, rapid, swift; unadvised, impromptu.
the executive (noun) – the executive is a branch of government which enforces the law as written by the legislature and interpreted by the judiciary.
prolonged (adjective) – lengthy, longish, extended, protracted, stretched out, elongated.
pull out all the stops (phrase) – to make every effort to succeed; to do everything possible, try hard to achieve something.
stagger (verb) – spread (out), time at intervals.
defence (noun) – vindication, justification, support, approval, endorsement.
conflict (noun) – dispute, clash, quarrel, disagreement, difference of opinion.
claim (noun) – assertion, affirmation, declaration, contention.
right to privacy (noun phrase) – a fundamental right protected under Part III of the Constitution of India.
right to information (noun) – The right to information act was passed in the year 2005. This law empowers Indian citizens to seek any accessible information from a Public Authority and makes the Government and its functionaries more accountable and responsible.
equivocation (noun) – vagueness, ambiguity, uncertainty, ambivalence, indecision, doubt, beating about the bush, doublespeak, hesitation, evasion, prevarication.
unwarranted (adjective) – unjustified, unnecessary, unreasonable, uncalled for, groundless.
all eyes are on something (phrase) – everyone is watching something and waiting to see what will happen.