TOPIC OF THE DAY:- “Having The Edge”
A second reason for avoiding public remembrance of the ‘surgical strike’ of 2016 would be that it undermines any advantage that may be possessed by India. While it may at times be necessary to pursueinfiltrators to their lair, it can be strategically unwise to keep advertising your past actions. Here Oscar Wilde’s advice to the young that “one must always be a little improbable” is a good principle to follow even in matters of defence. The enemy should be left constantly guessing how you will react, so that you would be able to exact even greater damage when he attempts to hurt you the next time round. Politicians reveal their amateurishness in matters military when they boast in public of the deeds of our soldiers.
In general, it is unfortunate that India’s politicians are unable to make common cause when it comes to national security. Something of this kind is much needed in a matter that is being aired in our television debates right now. In a relatively rare moment of sanity emanating from them, an anchor suggested that henceforth defence acquisitions be made through bipartisan committees so that there is transparency. This would avoid the mud-slinging that we are left to witness over the Rafale deal and ensure that the national interest is upheld.
Above all, dragging our armed forces into a jingoistic nationalism to serve some narrow political end stems from an ignorance of India’s eternal tradition. Ashoka Maurya renounced violence after his victory at Kalinga and spent the rest of his life spreading the idea of non-violence. The Chandela kings, after victory in war, built exquisite temples at Khajuraho, leaving them for the use of their people. For a soldier to aspire to reward, whether of wealth or fame, was considered a fate far worse than death. This after all is the message of the Bhagavad Gita. Apparently some of India’s politicians are unaware of their inheritance.
A National Spirit
Nations are imagined communities. They first arise in the minds of the people. The state can only tap into this national spirit; it cannot create it. Ashokan edicts in the four corners of the country, erected at a time when transporting people and communicating ideas was a Herculean task, testify to the fact that at least some Indians had imagined a community long ago. This imagination had revolved around ethical conduct and transcended cultural, linguistic and religious differences. Over two millennia later it was to erupt in the form of a national movement when Gandhi’s call to unite against a colonial power was instinctively heeded by millions of ordinary Indians. By the 21st century, Indians imagine themselves as a community, it may be said, of diverse nationalities. They must view with amusement the ersatz nationalism being manufactured over a routine action somewhere along India’s north-western border.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) pursue
Meaning : follow or chase (someone or something).
Synonyms : follow , track
Antonyms : ignore
Example : “the officer pursued the van”
2) deeds
Meaning : an action that is performed intentionally or consciously.
Synonyms : actions , activities
Antonyms : failures
Example : “doing good deeds”
3) acquisitions
Meaning : an asset or object bought or obtained, typically by a library or museum.
Synonyms : gains , purchases
Antonyms : sales
Example : “the legacy will be used for new acquisitions”
4) emanating
Meaning : originate from; be produced by.
Synonyms : emerging , breathing
Antonyms : absorbing
Example : “the proposals emanated from a committee”
5) exquisite
Meaning : extremely beautiful and delicate.
Synonyms : elegant , fine
Antonyms : ugly
Example : “exquisite, jewel-like portraits”
6) edicts
Meaning : an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority.
Synonyms : rules , ordinances
Antonyms : requests
Example : “Clovis issued an edict protecting Church property”
7) transcended
Meaning : be or go beyond the range or limits of (a field of activity or conceptual sphere).
Synonyms : surpassed overstepped
Antonyms : failed
Example : “this was an issue transcending party politics”
8) instinctively
Meaning : without conscious thought; by natural instinct.
Synonyms : naturally , inherently
Antonyms : artificially
Example : “Elizabeth reacted instinctively in giving him a hug”
9) spirit
Meaning : the non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.
Synonyms : energy , feeling
Antonyms : body
Example : “we seek a harmony between body and spirit”
10) ethical
Meaning : relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these.
Synonyms : moral honest
Antonyms : sinful
Example : “ethical issues in nursing”
11) slinging
Meaning : suspend or arrange (something), especially with a strap or straps, so that it hangs loosely in a particular position.
Synonyms : pitching , pitching
Example : “a hammock was slung between two trees”
12) improbable
Meaning : not likely to be true or to happen.
Synonyms : unlikely , unbelievable
Antonyms : plausible
Example : “this account of events was seen by the jury as most improbable”
