Topic of the day:-“Who needs a messiah?”
It cannot be forgotten that despite phases of political instability, new alliances and coalitions within the political spectrum have come to power at the Centre when the two main parties were unable to form the government on their own. The question is not whether Mr. Rajinikanth will be the State’s saviour, but whether the State requires a messiah in the first place. He has sought to project himself in a messianic role by claiming that he is not looking for power but only guardians or sentinels of the exchequer to prevent plunder and loot. He said the battle has to be joined soon and that only cowards turn away from war. For good measure he quoted the Gita on one’s duty to wage war when required. The use of martial metaphors and the image of a protector or saviour reveals a mindset that wants those governing to be patrons and the governed their clients. This sort of clientelism is not something that can bring about any systemic change, but would rather entrench patronage and corruption. As cynicism envelops the State, it is useful to remember that the only vacuum in Tamil Nadu today is the absence of a strong personality. Democracy can survive without such personages. All it requires is that individuals and institutions play the roles expected of them in adhering to the law and the Constitution. It is in the nature of democracy to appear inchoate in trying times. To believe that this is a systemic dystopia that requires emancipation by a messiah amounts to a disbelief in the fundamental nature of democracy itself. This does not mean that the polity should shut out a newcomer. The much-reviled system can accommodate Mr. Rajinikanth and more of his ilk. However, it is a stretch to say that the entry of those currently outside the political and electoral system is a dire necessity. Some have used the language of cinema to describe Mr. Rajinikanth’s political entry as the release of a blockbuster. It looks like he intends to play the deus ex machina that will enter in the final moment to resolve all the problems of Tamil Nadu at one go. The people may cheer at such contrivances on screen, but it is doubtful if they will do so in real life.
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”
