THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- September 20, 2016- Topic 1
Gathering evidence regarding the four
terrorists who STORMED the army base in Uri,
killing 18 soldiers, suggests they
are from Pakistan and had been sent across the border explicitly for this
attack. In fact, the entire operation has the fingerprints of Pakistan’s military establishment, showing yet again
the country’s PERSISTENT use of terrorism as state policy. The four terrorists
reportedly got to the camp early in the morning, in all probability across the
Line of Control just 6 km away. The terrorists carried automatic rifles,
under-barrel grenade launchers and other equipment, most of it with Pakistani
markings, according to Director General of Military Operations Lt. Gen. Ranbir
Singh. Over the last three decades or so, India has been at the receiving end
of Pakistani STATECRAFT of terrorists UNLEASHED to ATTAIN state objectives; Uri is the latest PROVOCATION. India has limited MANOEUVRABILITY as far as a military response goes.
Narendra Modi’s restrained, but firm, response is an indication that India may
not play the RECKLESS game many would like it to. Condemning the “cowardly”
attack, he said those behind it would not go unpunished — the heavy-lifting
will in all probability be done diplomatically.
In responses in New Delhi, and on the
ground in Kashmir, one thing has emerged: that India still does not have a
comprehensive national policy to deal with domestic militancy as well as cross-border terrorism.
Given India’s inconsistent and incomplete responses, the ADVERSARIES, both states and terror organisations, are able to
exploit, and often poke fun at, the lack of a ROBUST national doctrine. The latest attack
also captures the complex reality of India-Pakistan ties and the Kashmir issue. It calls for an alert
security grid and sophisticated policy responses; neither can be achieved by RHETORIC
and SIMPLISTIC
blame games. The Indian security forces have been dealing with militancy and
cross-border INFILTRATION since Kashmir went up in flames in the late 1980s. The
gradual decline in violence in the Valley over the years was reversed starting
2014, and since then STRIFE in the Valley and infiltration from the Pakistan side
have both steadily climbed. The Prime Minister should take the lead to bring
together leaders across the spectrum to work towards finding peace, while
drawing up a national security doctrine that is free of biases and MYOPIA.
India needs to let its adversaries know it is a power capable of more than mere
rhetoric — while assuring its own people that its options are rooted in
constitutional values. For both, a well-documented national security doctrine
could be a first step.
Vocabulary
Stormed: move angrily or forcefully in a specified direction.
Example: She burst into tears and stormed off
Synonyms: stride angrily, stomp, march, stalk, flounce, stamp
Persistent: continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of
difficulty or opposition.
Example: One of the government's most persistent critics
Synonyms: tenacious, persevering, determined, resolute, purposeful, dogged, single-minded
Statecraft: the skillful management of state affairs; statesmanship.
Example: Issues of statecraft require great deliberation
Unleashed: release from a leash or restraint.
Example: We unleashed the dog and carried it down to our car
Synonyms: let loose, release, (set) free, unloose, untie, unchain
Attain: succeed in achieving (something that one desires and has worked for).
Example: Clarify your objectives and ways of attaining them
Synonyms: achieve, accomplish, reach, obtain, gain, procure, secure
Provocation: action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially
deliberately.
Example: You should remain calm and not respond to provocation
Synonyms: goading, prodding, incitement, pressure, annoyance, irritation
Manoeuvrability: (especially of a craft or vessel) able to be
maneuvered easily while in motion.
Reckless: (of a person or their actions) without thinking or caring about the
consequences of an action.
Example: Reckless driving
Synonyms: rash, careless, thoughtless, heedless, unheeding, hasty
Adversaries: one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute.
Example: Davis beat his old adversary in the quarterfinals
Synonyms: opponent, rival, enemy, antagonist, combatant, challenger
Robust: strong and healthy; vigorous.
Example: The Caplans are a robust, healthy lot
Synonyms: strong, vigorous, sturdy, tough, powerful, solid, muscular
Rhetoric: the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use
of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
Example: Born into a rich provincial family, he studied philosophy as well as
rhetoric and law.
Synonyms: oratory, eloquence, command of language, way with
words
Simplistic: treating complex issues and problems as if they were much simpler than they
really are.
Example: Simplistic solutions
Synonyms: facile, superficial, oversimple, oversimplified, shallow
Strife: angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict.
Example: Strife within the community
Synonyms: conflict, friction, discord, disagreement, dissension, dispute
Myopia: nearsightedness.
Example: Astigmatism may occur with myopia or hyperopia.
