The Hindu Editorial Analysis : 2nd August 2024

The Hindu Editorial Analysis

We understand the significance of reading The Hindu newspaper for enhancing reading skills, improving comprehension of passages, staying informed about current events, enhancing essay writing, and more, especially for banking aspirants who need to focus on editorials for vocabulary building. This article will delve into today’s editorial points along with practice questions and key vocabulary.

The death toll in Wayanad has risen to over 200; search efforts are being hindered by slush

As many as 191 people have been reported missing, and the challenging terrain is hindering rescue efforts by various forces. In the last 48 hours, various hospitals have received 1,592 individuals rescued from the devastated areas. Currently, 99 individuals are receiving treatment. Chief Minister Vijayan has stated that efforts are underway to relocate residents, including tribal communities, from areas prone to landslides.

• The death toll has exceeded 200 from the landslides that hit the Chooralmala and Mundakkai regions near Meppadi in Wayanad district, Kerala, according to officials from the Revenue Department. As search and rescue efforts continue, the number is anticipated to increase.
• Personnel from the Army, Defence Security Corps, National Disaster Response Force, and the Forest and Fire and Rescue Service, along with volunteers, combed through the debris in the affected areas using rescue equipment, including earthmovers. Heart-wrenching scenes of bodies being recovered, people frantically searching for their loved ones, and terrified survivors recounting their experiences dominated television screens and social media platforms throughout the day.
• By Wednesday evening, a total of 174 bodies and 61 body parts had been recovered. There were 191 people still missing. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reported that 1,592 individuals had been rescued from the devastated areas over two days and taken to various hospitals. Ninety-nine people were receiving treatment, while the rest were relocated to relief camps.
• The thick layer of slush and slippery terrain hindered the progress of the search on Wednesday. By evening, rainwater had submerged a temporary bridge built by soldiers for rescue operations. Meanwhile, across the Punna river, a tributary of the Chaliyar river, the Army started constructing a 190-meter Bailey bridge to connect the affected areas. The bridge will have a carrying capacity of 20 tonnes and is expected to be completed by Friday evening.
• Injured citizens from the affected areas of Chooralmala and Mundakkai were transported to a hospital by an Air Force helicopter.
• Major General V.T. Mathew, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Kerala and Karnataka sub-area, who was coordinating the Army’s rescue operations, announced that an additional 100 soldiers and three sniffer dogs would soon join the rescue efforts at Chooralmala.
• The district administration is exploring the possibility of using modern techniques, such as ground mapping and ground-penetrating radar, to recover bodies buried deep in the debris.
• Vijayan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, before leaving for Wayanad, that efforts were being made to relocate citizens, including tribal people, from areas prone to landslides.
• He stated that 82 relief camps in Wayanad district had relocated over 8,000 people.

Puja has lost her IAS candidacy and has been barred from participating in future exams

• On Wednesday, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the cancellation of probationary Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar’s candidacy and imposed a permanent ban on her from participating in all future examinations and selections by the Commission.
• She was deemed “guilty of violating the Civil Services Examination-2022 Rules,” according to the statement. Concerning the submission of false certificates by candidates, particularly those from Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), the UPSC stated that it “lacks both the mandate and the resources to verify the authenticity of the numerous certificates submitted by candidates each year.”
• The UPSC also stated that Ms. Khedkar had not replied to the show-cause notice issued to her on July 18, which accused her of “fraudulently exceeding the permissible number of attempts allowed in the Examination Rules by falsifying her identity.”
• “Originally, she needed to submit her response by July 25. She asked for an extension until August 4 to gather the required documents. The UPSC approved an extension until 3:30 p.m. on July 30 and considered her request. Even with this extra time, her explanation was not submitted.,” stated the UPSC.
• It also noted that, in light of Ms. Khedkar’s case, the UPSC has carefully reviewed the data of over 15,000 candidates recommended for the CSEs from 2009 to 2023, spanning 15 years, to assess the number of attempts they made.
• The UPSC stated, “After this comprehensive review, it has been determined that no candidate, aside from Ms. Khedkar, has surpassed the permitted number of attempts according to the CSE Rules.”

India and China conduct the 30th round of border negotiations, with both sides agreeing to maintain peace and tranquility

• On Wednesday in New Delhi, the 30th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was conducted by India and China. The discussions were characterized as “forward-looking, in-depth, and constructive”. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both parties agreed to maintain the momentum through diplomatic and military channels that have been established.
• The discussions occur amidst signs that both countries are working to address the standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
• According to a statement from the MEA, “Following recent discussions in Astana [Kazakhstan] and Vientiane [Laos], the current situation along the LAC was reviewed by the two Foreign Ministers. Prompt resolution of outstanding issues is a priority for both sides, with the key to normalizing bilateral relations being the restoration of peace, tranquility, and respect for the LAC.” The 29th WMCC meeting took place on March 24 in Beijing.
• The statement added that both sides agreed on the importance of jointly maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas, in line with the bilateral agreements and protocols established between the two governments.
• This development also arises amid speculation that the government might ease some of its economic restrictions on Chinese companies. This potential shift follows the latest Economic Survey, which recommended increasing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China.

Important questions

1. What challenges are rescue teams facing in their efforts to locate and assist victims in Wayanad?
2. How many individuals have been rescued so far, and what is the current status of their treatment?
3. What measures are being taken to improve access to the affected areas and aid the rescue operations?
4. What were the specific reasons cited by the UPSC for canceling Puja Khedkar’s IAS candidacy and permanently baring her from future examinations?
5. What were the key outcomes of the 30th round of border negotiations between India and China?

Important vocabulary

1. Slush: A mixture of mud and water; in this context, it refers to the muddy, slippery terrain hindering rescue efforts.
2. Tributary: A stream or river that flows into a larger river or lake; in the article, it refers to the Punna river being a tributary of the Chaliyar river.
3. Bailey bridge: A portable, prefabricated bridge designed for rapid assembly; it is being used to connect affected areas in the article.
4. Submerged: Covered or sunk beneath the surface of water; used here to describe the temporary bridge that was overwhelmed by rainwater.
5. Sniffer dogs: Dogs trained to detect specific scents, such as human remains; they are being used in the search and rescue operations.
6. Ground-penetrating radar: A technology used to detect and map subsurface structures; it’s being considered to locate buried bodies.
7. Probationary: Referring to a trial or provisional period of employment.
8. Show-cause notice: A formal notification asking someone to explain or justify their actions or behavior.
9. Standoff: A situation in which opposing parties are unable to reach an agreement or compromise.
10. Tranquility: A state of peace and calm.

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