TOPIC OF THE DAY:-“The star and his fans”
Given the nature of relations between a hero and a fan, there is a credible fear that Mr. Rajinikanth’s presence may result in those backing him losing their political instincts and remaining blind followers with little concern even for the preservation of their rights. Some see his open espousal of ‘spiritual politics’ as a challenge to the core ideology of Dravidian parties. These are indeed portentous. However, the danger here is not merely about right-wing politics taking roots. It is the movement away from a political legacy rooted in ideology to one that is solely personality-centric. Even the foremost practitioner of charisma-driven and personality-centric politics, M.G. Ramachandran, built his popularity on a platform of welfarism and social justice. Mr. Rajinikanth represents a change the State does not need.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Foray
Meaning: A sudden attack or incursion into enemy territory, especially to obtain something; a raid.
Example: “The garrison made a foray against Richard’s camp”
Synonyms: Raid, Attack
2) Intellect
Meaning: The faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively, especially with regard to abstract matters.
Example: “He was a man of action rather than of intellect”
Synonyms: Mind, Intelligence
Antonyms: Emotion
3) Plunge
Meaning: Jump or dive quickly and energetically.
Example: “Our little daughters whooped as they plunged into the sea”
Synonyms: Jump, Dive
4) Futile
Meaning: Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.
Example: “A futile attempt to keep fans from mounting the stage”
Synonyms: Fruitless, Vain
Antonyms: Useful, Fruitful
5) Cult
Meaning: A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or as imposing excessive control over members.
Example: “A network of Satan-worshipping cults”
Synonyms: Sect, Religious group, Denomination
6) Right-wing
Meaning: Conservative or reactionary.
Example: “A right-wing Republican senator”
Synonyms: Conservative, Rightist
Antonyms: Left-wing, Radical
7) Terrain
Meaning: A stretch of land, especially with regard to its physical features.
Example: “They were delayed by rough terrain”
Synonyms: Land, Ground
8) Concerns
Meaning: Anxiety; worry.
Example:”Carole gazed at her with concern”
Synonyms: Anxiety, Worry
Antonyms: Serenity, peace of mind, indifference
9) Looting
Meaning: The activity of stealing from shops during a violent event.
Example: There were reports of widespread looting as hooligans stampeded through the city centre.
10) Wracked
Meaning: A trace of something destroyed.
Example: Leaving not a wrack behind.
11) Prevail
Meaning: Persuade (someone) to do something.
Example: “She was prevailed upon to give an account of her work”
Synonyms: Persuade, Induce,
12) Regime
Meaning: A government, especially an authoritarian one.
Example: “Ideological opponents of the regime”
Synonyms: Government, Authorities, Rule
13) Embarrassment
Meaning: A feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness.
Example: “I turned red with embarrassment”
Synonyms: Awkwardness, Self-consciousness
Antonyms: Confidence
14) Verdicts
Meaning: A decision on an issue of fact in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
Example: “The jury returned a verdict of not guilty”
Synonyms: Judgement, Adjudication
15) Misdeeds
Meaning: A wicked or illegal act.
Example: “His past misdeeds were forgiven”
Synonyms: Wrongdoing, Wrong
16) Agenda
Meaning: A plan of things to be done or problems to be addressed.
Example: “He vowed to put jobs at the top of his agenda”
Synonyms: List of items, Schedule
17) Freebies
Meaning: A thing that is provided or given free of charge.
Example: “A freebie to the Himalayas”
18) Rampant
Meaning: (Especially of something unwelcome) flourishing or spreading unchecked.
Example: “Political violence was rampant”
Synonyms: Uncontrolled, Unrestrained
Antonyms: Controlled, Under control
19) Bribery
Meaning: The giving or offering of a bribe.
Example: “His opponent had been guilty of bribery and corruption”
Synonyms: Corruption, Subornation
20) Helming
Meaning: Manage (an organization).
Example: “The magazine he helmed in the late eighties”