Topic Of The Day:-“The India connection”
During the Panama Papers saga, Mr. Sharif was accused in social media of being an Indian agent and rumours swirled of his alleged investments in India and ‘secret partnerships’ with Indian businessmen. This reveals the real cause of anxiety with him, which could not be rumours of corruption because that did not bother the establishment when it initially supported him. The role Mr. Sharif played in the late 1980s, as the establishment’s Cat’s Paw, has now been taken over by cricketer-turned politician, Imran Khan. There is no guarantee, however, that if Mr. Khan ever comes to power he would not meet a similar fate when he insists on making policy instead of being content with having office and implementing the establishment’s prescriptions. Just like the IJI-ISI intrigue was fully uncovered decades later, we will probably find out details of the intrigue leading to Mr. Sharif’s ouster several years later too. Unfortunately, Mr. Sharif’s ouster is unlikely to stem the tide of widespread corruption in Pakistan. It might also not be the end of Mr. Sharif, who could possibly win another election in his Punjab base. But the episode proves again that Pakistan is far from being a democracy where the law takes its course, institutions work within their specified spheres and elected leaders are voted in or out by the people.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Overthrowing
Meaning: Remove forcibly from power.
Example: Military coups which had attempted to overthrow the King.
Synonyms: Remove, bring down
2) Endorsement
Meaning: The action of endorsing someone or something.
Example: The issue of full independence received overwhelming endorsement.
Synonyms: Support, Backing, Approval
Antonyms: Opposition
3) Refrained
Meaning: Stop oneself from doing something.
Example: She refrained from comment.
Synonyms: Abstain, Desist, Hold back
4) Disenchantment
Meaning: A feeling of disappointment about someone or something you previously respected or admired; disillusionment.
Example: Their growing disenchantment with the leadership.
Synonyms: Disillusionment, Disappointment
5) Prolonged
Meaning: Continuing for a long time or longer than usual; lengthy.
Example: An idea which prolonged the life of the engine by many years.
Synonyms: Lengthen, Make longer
Antonyms: Shorten
6) Galvanising
Meaning: Shock or excite (someone) into taking action.
Example: The urgency of his voice galvanized them into action.
Synonyms: Jolt, Shock, Startle
Antonyms: Demotivate
7) Amass
Meaning: Gather together or accumulate (a large amount or number of material or things) over a period of time.
Example: He amassed a fortune estimated at close to a million pounds.
Synonyms: Gather, Collect
Antonyms: Dissipate
8) Ostensibly
Meaning: As appears or is stated to be true, though not necessarily so; apparently.
Example: The party secretary resigned, ostensibly from ill health.
Synonyms: apparently, Seemingly
Antonyms: Genuinely, Really
9) Offshore
Meaning: Made, situated, or registered abroad, especially in order to take advantage of lower taxes or costs or less stringent regulation.
Example: Offshore accounts.
10) Protégé
Meaning: A person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person.
Example: Ruskin submitted his protégé’s name for election.
Synonyms: Pupil, Student
11) Notorious
Meaning: Famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed.
Example: Los Angeles is notorious for its smog.
Synonyms: Infamous, of ill repute
Antonyms: Unknown, Anonymous
12) Meddlesome
Meaning: Fond of meddling; interfering.
Example: Heaven rid him of meddlesome politicians.
Synonyms: Interfering, Meddling, Intrusive
13) Conducive
Meaning: Making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible.
Example: The harsh lights and cameras were hardly conducive to a relaxed atmosphere.
Synonyms: Good for, Helpful to
14) Dispensed
Meaning: Manage without or get rid of.
Example: Let’s dispense with the formalities, shall we?
Synonyms: Waive, Omit, Drop
Antonyms: Include, Keep
15) Sagacious
Meaning: Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement; wise or shrewd.
Example: They were sagacious enough to avoid any outright confrontation.
Synonyms: Wise, Clever, Intelligent
Antonyms: Stupid, Foolish
16) Prophet
Meaning: A person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God.
Example: The Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah.
Synonyms: Seer, Soothsayer
17) Arrogated
Meaning: Take or claim (something) without justification.
Example: They arrogate to themselves the ability to divine the nation’s true interests.
Synonyms: Assume, Take, Take on
Antonyms: Renounce
18) Probity
Meaning: The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
Example: Financial probity.
Synonyms: Integrity, Honesty
Antonyms: Untrustworthiness
19) Precedent
Meaning: An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.
Example: There are substantial precedents for using interactive media in training.
Synonyms: Model, Exemplar, Example
20) Amidst
Meaning: Surrounded by; in the middle of.
Example: Our dream home, set amid magnificent rolling countryside.
Synonyms: Among, Between
21) Orchestrated
Meaning: Plan or coordinate the elements of (a situation) to produce a desired effect, especially surreptitiously.
Example: The situation has been orchestrated by a tiny minority.
Synonyms: Organize, Arrange
22) Intrigue
Meaning: The secret planning of something illicit or detrimental.
Example: The cabinet was a nest of intrigue.
Synonyms: Plotting, Planning, Conspiracy
23) Avowed
Meaning: Assert or confess openly.
Example: He avowed that he had voted Labour in every election.
Synonyms: Assert, Declare
24) Flawed
Meaning: Having or characterized by a fundamental weakness or imperfection.
Example: A fatally flawed strategy.
Synonyms: Unsound, Defective
Antonyms: Sound
25) Swirled
Meaning: Move in a twisting or spiralling pattern.
Example: The smoke was swirling around him.
Synonyms: Whirl, Eddy
