Learn Vocabulary - THE HINDU EDITORIAL - June 5, 2025

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THE HINDU EDITORIAL - Veranda Race

Fire on waters

India’s maritime firefighting capabilities are standing up to the test

The Indian coast needs to be protected against three types of major peacetime maritime accidents involving merchant ships: sinking of merchant ships, causing the loss of cargo, disruption of maritime traffic, and environmental damage; fire onboard merchant vessels that can seriously threaten not just the environment but also life and property on the coast; and oil spills. The recent fire onboard MW Wan Hai 503, that started with explosions when the ship was some 44 nautical miles off the Azhikkal coast in Kannur, Kerala, on June 9, has been successfully controlled now. Photographs of the ship showed a cocktail of smoke of brown, white, grey and black colours billowing out, indicating that many substances were burning. The cargo manifest showed that more than 140 of the 1,754 containers had various types of hazardous cargo. Coast Guard officials report that the raging Wan Hai had started drifting dangerously towards the coast even as firefighting was on and the sea remained rough under monsoon conditions. A tow rope was passed onto the ship but it snapped. An Indian Navy helicopter flew in to airdrop a salvage team and pass a wire rope that was made of steel, which was then used to tow the ship 45 nautical miles away from the coast where the depth is nearly one kilometre. The owner of the vessel pitched in by commandeering tugs through their agents. Wan Hai does not pose an immediate danger to the Indian coast now. Smoke is still seen from the ship and there are hot spots, but it is now up to the ship owner to salvage the vessel after completely putting out the fire.

Most of the patrol vessels, the workhorse of the Coast Guard, are now fitted with firefighting equipment since firefighting is a key mandate of the agency. While hazardous cargo on containers are indeed a major fire hazard, a more severe fire hazard is oil. Gas-carrying merchant ships are perhaps the greatest fire and explosion hazards. Nightmare scenarios that can bring the world to its knees involve gas carrier accidents at choke points such as the Suez Canal or the Strait of Malacca off Singapore. In 2020, the Indian Coast Guard and Navy successfully put out a massive fire that broke out off Colombo on the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), New Diamond, chartered by the Indian Oil Corporation. The VLCC was carrying 2,70,000 tonnes of crude oil and bound for Paradip in Odisha. That these ships were structurally intact despite week-long infernos is a testament as much to the maritime firefighting capabilities of India as the advanced design, materials and construction of the ships. Quick salvage of sunk ships and fighting oil spills, which require quick, extensive and close multi-agency coordination, are the other areas where India needs to build and demonstrate more expertise.

Mind the gap

India needs to ensure women’s participation in policymaking

India has dropped two points from its position last year in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index report, holding at 131 out of 148 countries. The parity score is just 64.1%, making it among one of the lowest-ranked countries in South Asia, according to the report released last week. The Index measures gender parity in a country across four aspects — economic participation and opportunity; educational attainment; health and survival; and political empowerment. While the performance of India in three of the four dimensions is either stable or has marginally improved, the significant lack of achievement in the fourth weighs down the overall result. The report says, in the economic participation and opportunity category, India has improved by +0.9 percentage points. The parity in estimated earned income rises from 28.6% to 29.9%, positively impacting the subindex score, the report said. Scores in labour force participation rate remained the same (45.9%) as last year — India’s highest achieved to date. In the educational attainment and health and survival categories, the scores have been driven up by positive shifts. It is in the political empowerment category that India records a drop in parity, since the last evaluation. Female representation in Parliament fell from 14.7% to 13.8% in 2025, lowering the indicator score for the second year in a row below 2023 levels. Also evaluated was the share of women in ministerial roles, which fell from 6.5% to 5.6%, continuing the sinking trend since 2023.

The path ahead is obvious — consolidate and improve on the gains and make efforts to set right the lacunae with policies and political will. India has had a long, shameful tussle on this issue as it toyed with the idea of increasing representation for women in polity. The controversial Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in 2023, 27 years after it was first introduced in 1996. The Bill has been visited upon by many charades, was blocked at every turn, and the path to actualisation of the goal was lined with monumental impediments. The present Act reserves one third of the seats for women in Parliament and the State legislatures, but will only be implemented from 2029, after the completion of the Census, and the delimitation exercise. But India climbing up the ranks of a global index should be only secondary to achieving a rounded, applause-worthy, gender parity structure within the country. There is, also, nothing keeping political parties from increasing women’s participation in the electoral process, even before the law necessitates it.

Fire on Waters

1. Peacetime
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: A period when a country is not at war
Tamil Meaning: சமாதான காலம் (Samādhāna kālam)
Malayalam Meaning: സമാധാന കാലം (Samādhāna kālaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ಶಾಂತಿಕಾಲ (Śāntikāla)
Synonyms: Peace, tranquility, non-wartime, calm period
Antonyms: Wartime, conflict, hostility, warfare
Example Sentence: Maritime safety protocols are crucial during peacetime to prevent accidents and protect coastal areas.

2. Merchant
Type: [Noun/Adjective]
Meaning: A person or ship involved in trade and commerce
Tamil Meaning: வணிகர் (Vaṇikar)
Malayalam Meaning: വ്യാപാരി (Vyāpāri)
Kannada Meaning: ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಿ (Vyāpāri)
Synonyms: Trader, businessman, commercial, trading
Antonyms: Customer, consumer, non-commercial
Example Sentence: The merchant vessel was carrying valuable cargo across international waters.

3. Disruption
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: Disturbance or interruption of normal activities
Tamil Meaning: இடையூறு (Iṭaiyūṟu)
Malayalam Meaning: തടസ്സം (Taṭassaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ಅಡಚಣೆ (Aḍacaṇe)
Synonyms: Interruption, disturbance, interference, hindrance
Antonyms: Continuity, harmony, order, smooth operation
Example Sentence: The ship fire caused significant disruption to maritime traffic in the region.

4. Onboard
Type: [Adverb/Adjective]
Meaning: On or in a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle
Tamil Meaning: கப்பலில் (Kappalil)
Malayalam Meaning: കപ്പലിൽ (Kappalil)
Kannada Meaning: ಹಡಗಿನಲ್ಲಿ (Haḍaginalli)
Synonyms: Aboard, on deck, inside the vessel
Antonyms: Ashore, on land, off the vessel
Example Sentence: The crew worked tirelessly to control the fire onboard the container ship.

5. Vessels
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: Ships or large boats
Tamil Meaning: கப்பல்கள் (Kappalkaḷ)
Malayalam Meaning: കപ്പലുകൾ (Kappalukaḷ)
Kannada Meaning: ಹಡಗುಗಳು (Haḍugugaḷu)
Synonyms: Ships, boats, craft, maritime vehicles
Antonyms: Land vehicles, aircraft
Example Sentence: Coast Guard vessels are equipped with modern firefighting equipment.

6. Cocktail
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: A mixture of different elements (in this context, different types of smoke)
Tamil Meaning: கலவை (Kalavai)
Malayalam Meaning: മിശ്രിതം (Miśritaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ಮಿಶ್ರಣ (Miśraṇa)
Synonyms: Mixture, blend, combination, medley
Antonyms: Pure substance, single element
Example Sentence: The ship's fire produced a cocktail of toxic smoke colors indicating various burning materials.

7. Billowing
Type: [Verb]
Meaning: Rising and moving in large volumes (like smoke or fabric)
Tamil Meaning: பெருகி எழும் (Perugi eḻum)
Malayalam Meaning: പൊങ്ങിവരുന്ന (Poṅṅivarunna)
Kannada Meaning: ಉಬ್ಬುವ (Ubbuva)
Synonyms: Swelling, surging, rising, expanding
Antonyms: Subsiding, shrinking, diminishing
Example Sentence: Thick black smoke was billowing from the burning container ship.

8. Manifest
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: A document listing the cargo, passengers, or crew of a ship
Tamil Meaning: பட்டியல் (Paṭṭiyal)
Malayalam Meaning: പട്ടിക (Paṭṭika)
Kannada Meaning: ಪಟ್ಟಿ (Paṭṭi)
Synonyms: List, inventory, record, register
Antonyms: Concealment, hidden cargo
Example Sentence: The cargo manifest revealed that many containers held hazardous materials.

9. Hazardous
Type: [Adjective]
Meaning: Dangerous or risky
Tamil Meaning: ஆபத்தான (Āpattāṉa)
Malayalam Meaning: അപകടകരമായ (Apakaṭakaramāya)
Kannada Meaning: ಅಪಾಯಕಾರಿ (Apāyakāri)
Synonyms: Dangerous, perilous, risky, unsafe
Antonyms: Safe, secure, harmless, non-toxic
Example Sentence: Special precautions are needed when transporting hazardous chemicals by sea.

10. Raging
Type: [Adjective/Verb]
Meaning: Violently intense or uncontrolled
Tamil Meaning: கடுமையான (Kaṭumaiyāṉa)
Malayalam Meaning: ഉഗ്രമായ (Ugramāya)
Kannada Meaning: ಉಗ್ರವಾದ (Ugravāda)
Synonyms: Fierce, intense, violent, uncontrolled
Antonyms: Calm, controlled, gentle, subdued
Example Sentence: The raging fire threatened to spread to other parts of the ship.

11. Drifting
Type: [Verb]
Meaning: Moving slowly with water or air currents
Tamil Meaning: மிதந்து செல்லும் (Mithandu cellum)
Malayalam Meaning: ഒഴുകിപ്പോകുന്ന (Oḻukippōkunna)
Kannada Meaning: ತೇಲುವ (Tēluva)
Synonyms: Floating, moving aimlessly, wandering
Antonyms: Anchored, stationary, controlled movement
Example Sentence: The damaged ship was drifting dangerously toward the shoreline.

12. Firefighting
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: The activity of extinguishing fires
Tamil Meaning: தீயணைப்பு (Tīyaṇaippu)
Malayalam Meaning: അഗ്നിശമന (Agniśamana)
Kannada Meaning: ಅಗ್ನಿಶಾಮಕ (Agniśāmaka)
Synonyms: Fire suppression, fire control, fire extinguishing
Antonyms: Fire-starting, arson
Example Sentence: Modern firefighting techniques saved the ship from complete destruction.

13. Snapped
Type: [Verb]
Meaning: Broke suddenly with a sharp sound
Tamil Meaning: அறுந்தது (Aṟundadu)
Malayalam Meaning: പൊട്ടി (Poṭṭi)
Kannada Meaning: ಮುರಿದು (Muridu)
Synonyms: Broke, cracked, fractured, ruptured
Antonyms: Held, remained intact, strengthened
Example Sentence: The tow rope snapped under the tremendous pressure from the drifting vessel.

14. Airdrop
Type: [Verb/Noun]
Meaning: To deliver supplies or personnel by parachute from an aircraft
Tamil Meaning: வான்வழி இறக்கம் (Vāṉvaḻi iṟakkam)
Malayalam Meaning: വിമാനത്തിൽ നിന്ന് ഇറക്കൽ (Vimānattil ninnu iṟakkal)
Kannada Meaning: ವಿಮಾನದಿಂದ ಇಳಿಸುವಿಕೆ (Vimānadinda iḷisuvike)
Synonyms: Parachute drop, aerial delivery, helicopter drop
Antonyms: Ground transport, sea delivery
Example Sentence: The Navy helicopter performed an airdrop to get the salvage team onto the burning ship.

15. Salvage
Type: [Noun/Verb]
Meaning: Rescue and recovery of a ship or its cargo from loss at sea
Tamil Meaning: மீட்பு (Mīṭpu)
Malayalam Meaning: രക്ഷാപ്രവർത്തനം (Rakṣāpravartanaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ರಕ್ಷಣೆ (Rakṣaṇe)
Synonyms: Rescue, recovery, retrieve, save
Antonyms: Abandon, discard, lose
Example Sentence: The salvage team worked around the clock to save the distressed vessel.

16. Tow
Type: [Verb/Noun]
Meaning: Pull or drag (a vehicle or vessel) with a rope or chain
Tamil Meaning: இழுத்துச் செல்லுதல் (Iḻuttuc cellludal)
Malayalam Meaning: വലിച്ചുകൊണ്ടുപോകൽ (Valiccu koṇṭupōkal)
Kannada Meaning: ಎಳೆಯುವಿಕೆ (Eḷeyuvike)
Synonyms: Pull, drag, haul, draw
Antonyms: Push, release, let go
Example Sentence: Tugboats were used to tow the damaged ship to safer waters.

17. Pitched in
Type: [Phrasal Verb]
Meaning: Contributed help or effort
Tamil Meaning: உதவி செய்தது (Udavi ceydadu)
Malayalam Meaning: സഹായിച്ചു (Sahāyiccu)
Kannada Meaning: ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡಿದ (Sahāya māḍida)
Synonyms: Helped, contributed, assisted, joined in
Antonyms: Withdrew, abstained, refused to help
Example Sentence: The ship owner pitched in by arranging additional tugboats for the rescue operation.

18. Commandeering
Type: [Verb]
Meaning: Taking control or possession of something for emergency use
Tamil Meaning: கட்டளையிடுதல் (Kaṭṭaḷaiyiḍudal)
Malayalam Meaning: നിയന്ത്രണം ഏറ്റെടുക്കൽ (Niyantraṇam ēṟṟeḍukkal)
Kannada Meaning: ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು (Niyantraṇa paḍedukoḷḷuvudu)
Synonyms: Requisitioning, seizing, taking control, appropriating
Antonyms: Releasing, relinquishing, giving up control
Example Sentence: The authorities were commandeering all available rescue vessels for the emergency operation.

19. Workhorse
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: A reliable and hardworking person or machine
Tamil Meaning: உழைப்பாளி (Uḻaippāḷi)
Malayalam Meaning: കഠിനാധ്വാനി (Kaṭhinādhvāni)
Kannada Meaning: ಕಷ್ಟಪಟ್ಟು ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುವವನು (Kaṣṭapaṭṭu kelasa māḍuvavanu)
Synonyms: Reliable performer, backbone, mainstay, stalwart
Antonyms: Unreliable, lazy, ineffective
Example Sentence: The patrol vessels serve as the workhorse of the Coast Guard fleet.

20. Mandate
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: An official order or authority to do something
Tamil Meaning: கட்டளை (Kaṭṭaḷai)
Malayalam Meaning: അധികാരം (Adhikāram)
Kannada Meaning: ಅಧಿಕಾರ (Adhikāra)
Synonyms: Authority, commission, directive, responsibility
Antonyms: Prohibition, ban, restriction
Example Sentence: Firefighting is a key mandate of the Coast Guard's maritime safety operations.

21. Nightmare
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: A very unpleasant, distressing, or terrifying situation
Tamil Meaning: கனவு (Kaṉavu) / பயங்கர நிலை (Payaṅkara nilai)
Malayalam Meaning: പേടിസ്വപ്നം (Pēḍisvapaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ದುಃಸ್ವಪ್ನ (Duḥsvapna)
Synonyms: Horror, terror, catastrophe, disaster
Antonyms: Dream, pleasant experience, ideal situation
Example Sentence: A gas carrier accident in busy shipping lanes would be a nightmare scenario for global trade.

22. Choke points
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: Narrow passages where movement can be easily blocked
Tamil Meaning: குறுகிய பாதை (Kuṟukiya pādai)
Malayalam Meaning: ഇടുങ്ങിയ പാത (Iḍuṅṅiya pāta)
Kannada Meaning: ಇಕ್ಕಟ್ಟಾದ ಮಾರ್ಗ (Ikkaṭṭāda mārga)
Synonyms: Bottlenecks, narrow straits, congestion points
Antonyms: Open waters, wide passages, clear routes
Example Sentence: The Suez Canal is one of the world's most critical maritime choke points.

23. Put out
Type: [Phrasal Verb]
Meaning: Extinguished (a fire)
Tamil Meaning: அணைத்தது (Aṇaittadu)
Malayalam Meaning: കെടുത്തി (Keḍutti)
Kannada Meaning: ಆರಿಸಿದ (Ārisida)
Synonyms: Extinguished, quenched, doused, suppressed
Antonyms: Ignited, lit, started, kindled
Example Sentence: The Coast Guard successfully put out the massive fire on the oil tanker.

24. Chartered
Type: [Verb/Adjective]
Meaning: Hired or rented for exclusive use
Tamil Meaning: வாடகைக்கு எடுத்த (Vāṭaikaikku eḍutta)
Malayalam Meaning: വാടകയ്ക്കെടുത്ത (Vāṭakaykkḍutta)
Kannada Meaning: ಬಾಡಿಗೆಗೆ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡ (Bāḍigege tegedukoṇḍa)
Synonyms: Rented, leased, hired, contracted
Antonyms: Owned, purchased, permanent
Example Sentence: The oil tanker was chartered by Indian Oil Corporation for transporting crude oil.

25. Intact
Type: [Adjective]
Meaning: Not damaged or impaired; complete
Tamil Meaning: அப்படியே இருக்கும் (Appaḍiyē irukkum)
Malayalam Meaning: കേടുപാടില്ലാത്ത (Kēḍupāḍillātta)
Kannada Meaning: ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾದ (Sampūrṇavāda)
Synonyms: Undamaged, whole, complete, unbroken
Antonyms: Damaged, broken, impaired, destroyed
Example Sentence: Despite the week-long fire, the ship's hull remained structurally intact.

26. Infernos
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: Large, destructive fires
Tamil Meaning: பெரும் தீ (Perum tī)
Malayalam Meaning: വലിയ തീപിടുത്തം (Valiya tīpiḍuttaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ದೊಡ್ಡ ಬೆಂಕಿ (Doḍḍa beṅki)
Synonyms: Blazes, conflagrations, fires, flames
Antonyms: Coolness, ice, water
Example Sentence: The ship survived multiple infernos thanks to its advanced fire-resistant design.

27. Expertise
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: Expert skill or knowledge in a particular area
Tamil Meaning: நிபுணத்துவம் (Nipuṇattvam)
Malayalam Meaning: വിദഗ്ധത (Vidagdhata)
Kannada Meaning: ಪರಿಣತಿ (Pariṇati)
Synonyms: Skill, proficiency, competence, mastery
Antonyms: Inexperience, incompetence, amateurism
Example Sentence: India needs to build more expertise in maritime oil spill response operations.

## Mind the Gap

28. Parity
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: The state of being equal or equivalent
Tamil Meaning: சமத்துவம் (Samattvam)
Malayalam Meaning: സമത്വം (Samatvaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ಸಮತೆ (Samate)
Synonyms: Equality, equivalence, balance, uniformity
Antonyms: Inequality, disparity, imbalance, difference
Example Sentence: India's gender parity score remains low compared to other South Asian countries.

29. Attainment
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: The achievement of something desired or attempted
Tamil Meaning: அடைதல் (Aṭaidl)
Malayalam Meaning: നേട്ടം (Nēṭṭam)
Kannada Meaning: ಸಾಧನೆ (Sādhane)
Synonyms: Achievement, accomplishment, acquisition, realization
Antonyms: Failure, loss, abandonment
Example Sentence: Educational attainment among women has shown significant improvement in recent years.

30. Subindex
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: A subsidiary index that is part of a larger index
Tamil Meaning: துணைக் குறியீடு (Tuṇaik kuṟiyīḍu)
Malayalam Meaning: ഉപസൂചിക (Upasūcika)
Kannada Meaning: ಉಪಸೂಚಿ (Upasūci)
Synonyms: Sub-category, component index, subsidiary measure
Antonyms: Main index, primary indicator
Example Sentence: The economic participation subindex showed marginal improvement this year.

31. Evaluation
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: The process of judging or assessing something
Tamil Meaning: மதிப்பீடு (Madippīḍu)
Malayalam Meaning: മൂല്യനിർണയം (Mūlyanirṇayaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ಮೌಲ್ಯಮಾಪನ (Maulyamāpana)
Synonyms: Assessment, appraisal, review, analysis
Antonyms: Ignorance, neglect, dismissal
Example Sentence: The annual evaluation revealed concerning trends in women's political participation.

32. Ministerial
Type: [Adjective]
Meaning: Relating to a government minister or ministry
Tamil Meaning: அமைச்சர் (Amaiccir)
Malayalam Meaning: മന്ത്രിസ്ഥാനം (Mantristhānaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ಮಂತ್ರಿ (Mantri)
Synonyms: Cabinet-level, governmental, executive
Antonyms: Non-governmental, civilian, private
Example Sentence: The share of women in ministerial positions has been declining since 2023.

33. Sinking
Type: [Adjective/Verb]
Meaning: Declining or falling (in this context, a declining trend)
Tamil Meaning: குறைந்துகொண்டே (Kuṟaindukoṇṭē)
Malayalam Meaning: താഴുന്ന (Tāḻunna)
Kannada Meaning: ಇಳಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ (Iḷiyuttiruvva)
Synonyms: Declining, falling, dropping, decreasing
Antonyms: Rising, increasing, improving, growing
Example Sentence: There's a sinking trend in women's representation in government positions.

34. Obvious
Type: [Adjective]
Meaning: Easily perceived or understood; clear
Tamil Meaning: தெளிவான (Teḷivāṉa)
Malayalam Meaning: വ്യക്തമായ (Vyaktamāya)
Kannada Meaning: ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟವಾದ (Spaṣṭavāda)
Synonyms: Clear, evident, apparent, plain
Antonyms: Obscure, hidden, unclear, ambiguous
Example Sentence: The path ahead for improving women's participation is obvious and requires immediate action.

35. Consolidate
Type: [Verb]
Meaning: Strengthen or secure firmly; combine into a single whole
Tamil Meaning: உறுதிப்படுத்து (Uṟutippaḍuttu)
Malayalam Meaning: ശക്തിപ്പെടുത്തുക (Śaktippeḍuttuka)
Kannada Meaning: ಬಲಪಡಿಸು (Balapaḍisu)
Synonyms: Strengthen, reinforce, unite, combine
Antonyms: Weaken, separate, divide, fragment
Example Sentence: India needs to consolidate its gains in women's education and economic participation.

36. Lacunae
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: Gaps or missing parts (plural of lacuna)
Tamil Meaning: குறைபாடுகள் (Kuṟaipāḍukaḷ)
Malayalam Meaning: വിടവുകൾ (Viḍavukaḷ)
Kannada Meaning: ಅಂತರಗಳು (Antaragaḷu)
Synonyms: Gaps, deficiencies, shortcomings, omissions
Antonyms: Completeness, fullness, sufficiency
Example Sentence: Political will is needed to address the lacunae in gender representation policies.

37. Tussle
Type: [Noun/Verb]
Meaning: A vigorous struggle or scuffle
Tamil Meaning: போராட்டம் (Pōrāṭṭam)
Malayalam Meaning: പോരാട്ടം (Pōrāṭṭaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ಹೋರಾಟ (Hōrāṭa)
Synonyms: Struggle, fight, battle, conflict
Antonyms: Peace, agreement, harmony, cooperation
Example Sentence: India has had a long tussle over implementing women's reservation in politics.

38. Toyed
Type: [Verb]
Meaning: Considered casually or without serious intent
Tamil Meaning: விளையாடியது (Viḷaiyāḍiyadu)
Malayalam Meaning: കളിച്ചു (Kaḷiccu)
Kannada Meaning: ಆಟವಾಡಿದ (Āṭavāḍida)
Synonyms: Played with, considered lightly, dallied
Antonyms: Committed seriously, dedicated, focused
Example Sentence: For decades, politicians toyed with the idea of women's reservation without serious implementation.

39. Charades
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: Pretenses or deceptive acts
Tamil Meaning: நாடகம் (Nāṭakam)
Malayalam Meaning: നാടകം (Nāṭakaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ನಾಟಕ (Nāṭaka)
Synonyms: Pretenses, farces, deceptions, shams
Antonyms: Genuine efforts, sincerity, honesty
Example Sentence: The Women's Reservation Bill was subjected to various political charades over the years.

40. Actualisation
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: The realization or fulfillment of something
Tamil Meaning: நிறைவேற்றம் (Niṟaivēṟṟam)
Malayalam Meaning: യാഥാർത്ഥ്യമാക്കൽ (Yāthārthyamākkal)
Kannada Meaning: ಸಾಕ್ಷಾತ್ಕಾರ (Sākṣātkāra)
Synonyms: Realization, fulfillment, implementation, achievement
Antonyms: Failure, abandonment, postponement
Example Sentence: The actualisation of women's political empowerment requires sustained commitment.

41. Impediments
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: Obstacles or hindrances
Tamil Meaning: தடைகள் (Taṭaikaḷ)
Malayalam Meaning: തടസ്സങ്ങൾ (Taṭassaṅṅaḷ)
Kannada Meaning: ಅಡಚಣೆಗಳು (Aḍacaṇegaḷu)
Synonyms: Obstacles, barriers, hindrances, obstructions
Antonyms: Aids, supports, facilitators, helpers
Example Sentence: The path to gender equality was lined with monumental impediments and political resistance.

42. Delimitation
Type: [Noun]
Meaning: The process of fixing boundaries or limits
Tamil Meaning: எல்லை நிர்ணயம் (Ellai nirṇayam)
Malayalam Meaning: അതിർത്തി നിർണയം (Atirtti nirṇayaṁ)
Kannada Meaning: ಗಡಿ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ (Gaḍi nirdhāra)
Synonyms: Boundary-setting, demarcation, delineation
Antonyms: Boundary removal, unlimited scope
Example Sentence: The Women's Reservation Act will be implemented after the delimitation exercise is completed.

43. Necessitates
Type: [Verb]
Meaning: Makes something necessary or required
Tamil Meaning: அவசியமாக்குகிறது (Avasiyamākkukiṟadu)
Malayalam Meaning: ആവശ്യമാക്കുന്നു (Āvaśyamākkunnu)
Kannada Meaning: ಅಗತ್ಯವಾಗಿಸುತ್ತದೆ (Agatyavāgisuttade)
Synonyms: Requires, demands, compels, mandates
Antonyms: Permits, allows, makes optional
Example Sentence: Political parties can increase women's participation even before the law necessitates it.

With today’s THE HINDU Editorial from June 16, 2025, you've learned 40+ powerful vocabulary words. Consistent practice like these builds not just your word bank but also sharpens your comprehension and expression for exams and real-world communication. Keep reading, keep learning! 💪📖

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