Daily English Vocab
PDF 14th Feb 2017
A dyad of dynasts
The Congress strategy to play second fiddle to the Samajwadi Party offers it a window of
opportunity at a time of decline. The Akhilesh Yadav-Rahul Gandhi combine might have tapped
into a new constituency
Indian politics currently seems to be a battle between a juggernaut (प्रभावशाली/ववशालकाय) and a
footnote. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) constitute the historical
juggernaut while a hesitant Congress currently seems to be reduced to a footnote.But politics never
follows a predetermined script; there are always surprises, those little bundles of hope.
Politics teaches you, especially electoral politics with its wide repertoire (प्रदशशनों की सच
ू ी/सीमायें/फैलाव)
of tactics, that you can indeed make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. The recent happenings in Uttar
Pradesh are an illustration of this. What was portrayed as a family quarrel actually worked well
for the country. Instead of creating continuities in dynastic (राजवश
ं ीय) politics, a la Mulayam Singh,
what we had was a meeting of two dynasts to create a fresh initiative. The Congress and the
Samajwadi Party (SP) created an electoral understanding which is transforming a dynasts’ meeting
into something new and effervescent (उत्साहपूर्श/उत्तेवजत).
A quarrel that was deeply implicated in the mire (A disadvantageous or difficult condition or
situation) of U.P. politics involving Amar Singh and the usual epidemic (संक्रामक फैलाऊ) of Yadav
politicians suddenly appeared to become a spring cleaning exercise, an opportunity for youth to
test their mettle against an older political style. True, the Congress is secondary, and still looks
like it is playing second fiddle to the SP, yet its very secondariness has helped create a sliver of
dynamism for a party that is seemingly moribund (in terminal decline; lacking vitality or
vigour.). The Congress is no longer just a monolith (a large, impersonal political, corporate, or
social structure regarded as indivisible and slow to change.) but a quilt patch of interests. U.P.
politics proved the wisdom of Tolstoy that happy families are all alike, while unhappy families are
each different in their own way. The Congress understood the unhappiness of Akhilesh Yadav and
provided therapy for it. Second, one senses, and I admit it is not totally a rational feeling, that
Rahul Gandhi promises to be more interesting and realistic with a touch of Sonia Gandhi and a
dose of Priyanka Gandhi. A revitalised Mr. Gandhi might prove an interesting possibility in the
future.
A generational change
There is also another point to note. Mr. Yadav and Mr. Gandhi might be an unlikely and even
temporary duo but they suggest a need for freshness, for something untrammeled (not deprived
of freedom of action or expression; not restricted or hampered.) or reminiscent (संस्मरर्शील/याद
वदलाने वाला) of the soiled politics of Mr. Shah and Mr. Singh. Their power to organise and destabilise
is never in doubt, but often there is an occasional sense that they could be passé (फीका/पुराना).
What is equally intriguing is the silence, or what I call the media secondariness, of Ms. Mayawati
of the Bahujan Samaj Party. A shrewd politician, she has often said that her constituency does not
read a newspaper or have much to do with the media. Yet, one senses that she is keeping her cards
close to her chest, hoping to drive a ruthless bargain as the nature of the field changes.
One must admit that the logic of the family drama, which had all the power of a long-playing serial
on TV, with the Yadav family, appearing like skeletons in a closet, mutes even the presence of Mr.
Modi. For all his taunts(आक्षेप) asking the Opposition to fight him on the development plank, he
almost becomes a side show. The Yadav-Gandhi combine, with the Congress as an active hyphen,
might be the only answer, to show that U.P. is not restricted to an Amar-Amit politics. I admit that
it is almost a symbolic opposition but as two youth, they might offer the possibility of a different
era.
There is shrewdness (बुविमानी) here on both sides. For Mr. Yadav, it is an attempt to throw off the
burden of family politics. At one level, it appears like minor changes in messages and roles, but it
at least offers the possibility of something new in politics. For once, the litany (पुनरावृवत्त (बहुत ज्यादा
होना)) (a tedious recital or repetitive series.) of complaint, contempt and mourning that
surrounded Mr. Gandhi and the Congress has been muted. He has not quite pulled a magical rabbit
out of the hat for the Congress, but he has created a smaller but still vibrant possibility. As some
wise critics say in politics, second best is sometimes better. It also reveals Mr. Gandhi’s
understanding that while the Gandhis might still be the first family in politics, and the Congress
still wallows (indulge in an unrestrained way in) in secondariness and nostalgia, U.P. might lead
to a tinkering of ideas, a rethinking in Congress politics. It is a question of perceptions, but
perceptions are defining politics today.
The U.P. electoral battle is also creating a different nuance (बारीकी/सक्ष्ू म फकश ) of distinctions and
differentiations. Critical to this is what almost looks like a disjunction between development and
governance. The demonetisation issue, as Mr. Gandhi has consistently emphasised, has devastated
the poor in U.P. While Mr. Modi might sing hosannas (स्तुवतगान) to a digitalised, developed world,
his performance scores on the governance issue are low. Oddly, thanks to stacks of well-placed
advertisements, Mr. Yadav might score more. A governance plank of the new alliance is
challenging the development promise of the BJP.
I think demonetisation has taken the shine off the BJP’s promise, creating a certain culture of
anxiety. In fact, Mr. Gandhi criticises the ‘Make in India’ campaign saying that everything we use
is actually made in China but when the SP-Congress combine comes to power, products will be
made in Kanpur, Jhansi, Lucknow and Saharanpur. Listening to it, one literally wants to believe
him. The two protagonists seem to fit in tandem (alongside each other.), each striking a different
note. Mr. Yadav is literally saying that the coalition will change the direction of the country’s
politics. Mr. Gandhi, as a more acerbic (तीखा/कषाय) ((especially of a comment or style of
speaking) sharp and forthright.) campaigner, has almost created a little cameo role for himself
and the Congress. There is a sense that Mr. Modi has demonetised the value of his own politics.
In a society which valorizes (give or ascribe value or validity to.) youth and change, he might
begin sounding like yesterday’s newspaper. Suddenly Mr. Gandhi’s attacks on the BJP, from being
inept, communicate a new confidence, a new possibility for the Congress. Maybe it might even
redefine the Congress from the huge coalition of the Nehru-Indira years to a set of pragmatic
contracts, making it more alert to the possibilities of survival and contestation.
Two readings
One can read politics in U.P. in two ways. One can read it solely as a contestation of numbers, of
a zero-sum game of victory and loss. But secondary readings are possible, suggesting that in the
future these readings might emerge out of their current secondariness. One senses Mr. Modi and
the BJP are dissatisfied that the SP drama is emerging out of the travails of a dismal family
struggle. One senses a nervousness in Mr. Modi’s dismissal of Mr. Yadav and Mr. Gandhi. His
promise of a Kesariya Sagar, of turning U.P. into a sea of electoral saffron sounds desperate.
Yet dismissing them as two princes in waiting, or invoking the history of the Congress, seems
inadequate. Mr. Modi’s new acronyms of SCAM (Samajwadi, Congress, Akhilesh and Mayawati)
and VIKAS [Vidyut (electricity), Kanoon (law and order) and Sadak (roads)] only sets the basis
of an acrimonious battle. Akhilesh Yadav has his own coinage (the invention of a new word or
phrase.) of SCAM as “Save Country from Amit Shah and Modi”.
It is not a question of who wins but which organisation gains and grows up. Here the Congress
seems to score some points. Somewhere there is a sense of new moves and gambits. The battle of
the old players — Mulayam Singh Yadav, Ms. Mayawati, Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah and Mr. Singh —
suddenly appears distracted by this new coalition. By creating a youth manifesto, they might have
tapped into the makings of a new agenda and constituency. I admit these are straws in the wind
but the possibility of a weave is clear. The tragedy is that one hopes that politics does not become
a choice between SCAMS, as Akhilesh Yadav has hinted. The scam will remain; the question is
can the Congress move on with its acts of tinkering (सध
ु ारना/ठीक करना) (attempt to repair or
improve something in a casual or desultory way.) towards more promising constructive
solutions?
Courtesy: The Hindu (Politics).
1. Juggernaut (noun): A huge, powerful, and overwhelming force / a large item that is seen as
unstoppable and can destroy anything in its way. (प्रभावशाली/ववशालकाय)
Synonyms: Massive, Giant, Elephantine, Gargantuan, Herculean.
Antonyms: Tiny, Trivial, Minor.
Example: With the reveal of its best-selling innovation, the software company has become a
juggernaut in the tech industry.
2. Repertoire (noun): A set of skills or types of behavior that a person uses regularly (प्रदशशनों की
सच
ू ी /सीमायें/फैलाव)
Synonyms: Range, Repertory, Reserve.
Antonyms: Debt, Lackness, Scarcity.
Example: As long as the piano player continues to strum through a boring repertoire of tunes, he
will never keep a large audience.
Related words:
Repertory (noun) – The entire range of skills or aptitudes or devices used in a particular field or
occupation.
3. Effervescent (adjective): Vivacious and enthusiastic. (उत्साहपूर्श/उत्तेवजत)
Synonyms: Avid, Ardent, Vigorous, Energetic, Enthusiastic, Vivacious.
Antonyms: Inactive, Dull, Unenthusiastic.
Example: The volcano diorama was complete with an effervescent lava special effect.
Related words:
Effervescence (noun) - उत्तेजना
4. Epidemic (adjective): Of the nature of an epidemic (very disseminative.) (सक्र
ं ामक फैलाऊ)
Synonyms: Rife, Rampant, Widespread, Wide-Ranging, Extensive, Pervasive.
Antonyms: Limited, Narrow, Restrained.
Example: Experts warn that an epidemic explosion of debt could be the result of unfavorable
policies.
Related words:
Epidemical (adjective) – disseminative in nature.
5. Mire (noun): A complicated or unpleasant situation from which it is difficult to extricate
oneself/ A disadvantageous or difficult condition or situation. (कवठन या ववकट पररवस्िवत)
Synonyms: Quagmire, Quandary, Predicament, Entanglement.
Antonyms: Breakthrough, Solution.
Example: Because the girl chose to become friends with a drug dealer, she now finds herself in a
mire of suspicion.
6. Reminiscent (adjective): Tending to remind one of something. (सस्ं मरर्शील/याद वदलाने वाला)
Synonyms: Evocative, Remindful, Nostalgic, Redolent.
Antonyms: Forgetful, Oblivious.
Example: The singer’s smooth singing style is very reminiscent of the crooners of the 1920s and
1930s.
Verb forms: Reminisce, Reminisced, Reminisced.
Related words:
Reminisce (verb) - recall the past
Reminiscence (noun) – याद
7. Passe (adjective): No longer fashionable; out of date. (फीका/पुराना)
Synonyms: Outdated, Unfashionable, Outmoded, Obsolete, Archaic, Antiquated.
Antonyms: Current, Modern, New, Up-to-date.
Example: Zongora style of music is now considered passé.
8. Taunt (noun): A remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone. (आक्षेप)
Synonyms: Jeer, Gibe, Sneer, Scoff.
Antonyms: Commendation, Compliment, Flattery, Praise.
Example: As the visiting team walked on the court, the hometown fans began to taunt the players.
Verb forms: Taunt, Taunted, Taunted.
Related words:
Taunt (verb) – आक्षेप करना
9. Shrewdness (noun): The quality of having or showing good powers of judgement/ intelligence
manifested by being astute. (बुविमानी)
Synonyms: Acumen, Acuity, Intelligence, Cleverness, Perspicacity.
Antonyms: Ignorance, Stupidity.
Example: As a motivational speaker, Clark is a shrewd manipulator of human emotions.
Related words:
Shrewd (adjective) – बुद्धिमान
10. Litany (noun): A tedious recital or repetitive series. (पनु राववृ त्त (बहुत ज्यादा होना))(a tedious recital
or repetitive series.)
Synonyms: Repetitive, Recitation, Recurrence, Reiteration.
Antonyms: Original, Initial, Primitive.
Example: The landlord was tired of listening to his tenant’s litany of complaints about the
property.
11. Nuance (noun): A subtle distinction or variation. (बारीकी/सक्ष्ू म फकश )
Synonyms: Distinction, Subtlety, Degree, Refinement.
Antonyms: Similarity, Alikeness.
Example: To solve the puzzle in the newspaper, you need to identify the nuance in the two
seemingly identical pictures.
Verb forms: Nuance, Nuanced, Nuanced.
Related words:
Nuance (verb) - सूक्ष्म अंतर होना
12. Acerbic (adjective): Especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright.
(तीखा/कषाय)
Synonyms: Astringent, Sharp, Severe, Mordant.
Antonyms: Kind, Mild, Nice.
Example: While you may think your acerbic joke is funny and helpful, others may not appreciate
your humor.
Related words: Acerbate, Acerbated, Acerbated.
Acerbate (verb) – कटु बनाना
Acerbity (noun) – कटुता
13. Tinker (verb): (attempt to repair or improve something in a casual or desultory way.)
(सधु ारना/ठीक करना)
Synonyms: Reconcile, Assuage, Repairing or Improving (Relations).
Antonyms: Agitate, Infuriate, Perturb.
Example: Emma is playing second fiddle to tinker the relations with her colleagues.
Verb forms: Tinker, Tinkered, Tinkered.
14. Moribund (adjective): In terminal decline; lacking vitality or vigour. (अन्त के करीब)
Synonyms: Declining, Waning, Dying, Stagnating, Decaying, Crumbling, Atrophying.
Antonyms: Developing, Growing, Reviving.
Example: My moribund computer is more than likely going to stop working at any second.
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