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11/12/2015 The Hindu: December 11, 2015 .................................................................................................................... 2

Stay the course on Pakistan talks.................................................................................................................. 2

The Hindu: December 11, 2015 02:00 IST .................................................................................................... 3

The law and the celebrity.............................................................................................................................. 3

Business Standard ......................................................................................................................................... 5

New spectrum caps may lead to 4G monopoly ............................................................................................ 5

The Guardian ................................................................................................................................................. 8

view on Jacob Zumas economics: not prudent, and a danger for the future .............................................. 8

Editorials with Hindi vocab ......................................................................................................................... 10

The Hindu: December 11, 2015 .................................................................................................................. 10

Stay the course on Pakistan talks................................................................................................................ 10

The Hindu: December 11, 2015 02:00 IST .................................................................................................. 11

The law and the celebrity............................................................................................................................ 11

The Hindu: December 11, 2015

Stay the course on Pakistan talks

The agreement by India and Pakistan to resume structured talks, seven years after the composite

dialogue was stopped following the Mumbai terrorist attacks, marks a dramatic improvement in

bilateral relations. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif

in Paris on the sidelines of the Climate Conference on November 30, both sides have moved fast to

tackle the key challenges that are holding back talks. The breakthrough was achieved at the

National Security Adviser-level discussions held in Bangkok on December 6. On the face of it, both

sides have signalled that they are ready for a give-and-take approach. Mr. Modis Bharatiya Janata

Party, both in Opposition and so far in government at the Centre, had opposed any resumption of

dialogue without concrete action by the Sharif administration on the Mumbai attacks of 2008. For

the Pakistanis, mention of Kashmir is a key issue. Mr. Sharif came under sharp criticism at home

over the Ufa statement of July which had omitted any reference to Jammu and Kashmir. However, in

the joint statement issued in Islamabad on Wednesday, Pakistan has given assurances on an early

completion of the Mumbai attacks trial, and resolved to cooperate to eliminate terrorism. India, on

the other side, has agreed to include Kashmir on the dialogue agenda.

Despite the agreement to resume talks, guarded optimism must be the dominant mood in New Delhi.

Its the Modi governments Pakistan moment. Eighteen months after it came to power, a period that

saw an increase in border skirmishes and high-decibel rhetoric, the government finally appears to

have realised that there is no alternative to bilateral talks in engaging with Islamabad. While the

constructive steps the government has taken in the last 10 days, something which it failed to do in

the past 18 months, are really commendable, it has to be realistic about the challenges ahead. Mr.

Modi is venturing into a path his predecessors had tested and retreated from. The Manmohan Singh

government had tried to kick-start stalled discussions through the resumed dialogue process,

which met with the same fate of the composite dialogue following the killing of Indian soldiers almost

three years ago. In the past, every time there was forward momentum in India-Pakistan ties, there

were attempts by non-state and extra-state actors on the Pakistan side to derail the process. Though

its too early to predict the outcome of the comprehensive dialogue, it can be certainly seen that the

proposal, which will have all the pillars of the India-Pakistan relationship, including economic ties,

people-to-people contacts and high-level interaction, is a promising beginning. Both sides have time

to build a strong foundation of renewed engagement before Mr. Modi goes to Islamabad next

September. The agenda is wider this time. What is needed, and crucial, is the political will to stay the

course irrespective of the challenges, and avoiding playing to the gallery. New Delhi particularly has

to internalise the logic of growing the constituency for peace within Pakistan, in Indias own national

interest, and therefore desist from unnecessary attempts at points-scoring.

tackle

The equipment required for a task or sport.

breakthrough

A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development

assurance

A positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise.

skirmish

An episode of irregular or unpremeditated fighting, especially between small or outlying parts of armies or fleets.

rhetoric

The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.

predecessor

A person who held a job or office before the current holder.

retreat

(of an army) withdraw from enemy forces as a result of their superior power or after a defeat.

derail

Cause (a train or trolley car) to leave its tracks accidentally.

desist

Cease; abstain.

The Hindu: December 11, 2015 02:00 IST

The law and the celebrity

When celebrity status is in conflict with the law, public sentiment will revolve around two narratives.

The narrative of power and wealth would suggest high status is a burden, a disadvantage before the

judiciary because judges will be chary of being seen as favouring them. The more popular narrative,

however, is that the slow criminal justice system is always skewed in favour of celebrities. It will

include folk wisdom that even the otherwise fair and strict judiciary will cave in to power and pelf.

When an occasional verdict brings down a famous personality, it will be seen as a victory for the

citizen and a blow for justice. May 6, 2015 saw such a moment when Mumbai sessions judge D.W.

Deshpande handed down a five-year prison sentence to Bollywood star Salman Khan in a hit-and-

run case. But cynicism took over before the day was out when he was given bail. Now, before the

year is out, a clean acquittal has been recorded in the Bombay High Court, and faith in the justice

system has been rocked again or reaffirmed, depending on which of the two narratives one

subscribes to. For the rarefied world of Mumbai stars and socialites, a superstar can do no wrong,

and even if he does, the gravity of his offence should be balanced with whatever charitable or

humanitarian work he may have done, and the most lenient course adopted. The judge, in this

milieu, is a lonely man who has to apply the law and pass a verdict without being swayed by either

the status of the individual involved or public opinion.

The judgment of Justice A.R. Joshi acquitting Khan may be sound in law. Yet, it is likely to revive

cynicism about the administration of criminal justice in the country. It raises a host of questions, not

least of which is about who killed Nurullah Sharif in the September 2002 incident. The judge has

termed a key eyewitness, Ravindra Patil, a police bodyguard who is now no more, unreliable. Has it

now been accepted that it was Ashok Singh, the actors driver who claimed responsibility in the latter

stages of the trial, who was driving the car that night? If so, is he going to be proceeded against?

However, the questions are not limited to the judgment. The police have been exposed for their

shoddy investigation. An honest investigation is unlikely to have resulted in doubts being cast on as

basic an aspect as the identity of the person at the wheel. Crucial lapses in the handling of the blood

samples have been recorded. The judge has ruled that it was not proved either that Khan was

driving the car or that he was drunk. Why then does the verdict raise uncomfortable questions? It

may be because after three recorded convictions, Salman Khan is yet to be punished

chary

Cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something.

skew

Suddenly change direction or position

cave

A large underground chamber, typically of natural origin, in a hillside or cliff.

pelf

Money, especially when gained in a dishonest or dishonorable way.

cynicism

An inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism.

acquittal

A judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which the person has been charged.

rarefied

(of air, especially that at high altitudes) of lower pressure than usual; thin.

milieu

A person's social environment.

sway

Move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically backward and forward or from side to side.

shoddy

Badly made or done.

verdict

A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.

Business Standard

New spectrum caps may lead to 4G monopoly

In a recent consultation paper on spectrum valuation and reserve price, the Telecom Regulatory

Authority of India, or Trai, has proposed a change that has the potential of distorting the playing field.

Under the current rules, a telecom service provider cannot own more than 50 per cent of spectrum in

any given frequency in a circle and 25 per cent of the total spectrum. This rule applies for spectrum

in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2,100 MHz, 2,300 MHz and 2,500 MHz frequencies. Trai has

now proposed the auction of spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency too. Since this frequency is being

sold for the first time, spectrum cap rules for it need to be put in place before the auctions that are

likely to take place by March. The regulator proposes that all the frequencies below 1 Gigahertz (700

MHz, 800 MHz and 900 MHz) should be pooled together and an ownership cap of 50 per cent on a

single telecom service provider should be imposed. It has not proposed any band-specific cap. For

frequencies above 1 Gigahertz, too, it has talked of doing away with the band-specific cap of 50 per

cent.

This would make it possible for a telecom service provider to own the entire spectrum in a band -

most notably in 700 MHz, which will be auctioned for the first time. This frequency, as Trai has noted

in the consultation paper, offers very good possibilities for 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) services.

Since it is a lower frequency, it offers better signal propagation strength. If a telecom service provider

gets the entire band in a circle, it will have a distinct advantage over others, which operate on higher

frequencies. Thus far, the core band for 4G LTE services has been 1,800 MHz. But several

countries across the globe have started hosting the service on 700 MHz as well. It is fast emerging

as a prime band for 4G LTE services. As a result, equipment for this band, as well as handsets, are

now easily available - the prices have come down steeply. Since the battleground in India is shifting

to data, and 4G LTE offers faster internet connectivity, there is a lot at stake on this frequency. It is

the telecom regulator's job to make sure that the rules are not misused by one telecom service

provider to monopolise the airwaves in this coveted frequency.

In fact, if the Trai proposal is accepted, it would be technically possible for a telecom service provider

to own the entire spectrum in the 800 MHz or 900 MHz bands in a circle, too. In the past, spectrum

in these two bands has been auctioned under the old spectrum caps (50 per cent on one band and

25 per cent overall). Telecom service providers had accordingly made their bids under those

assumptions. To change the rules midway would be unfair to those companies. Naturally, the

Cellular Operators' Association of India has voiced concern. Trai, it is hoped, will take these valid

concerns on board.

monopoly

The exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service.

consultation

The action or process of formally consulting or discussing.

impose

Force (something unwelcome or unfamiliar) to be accepted or put in place.

propagation

The spreading of something (a belief or practice) into new regions

steeply

In a steep manner; "the street rose steeply up to the castle"

covet

Yearn to possess or have (something).

Indian Express

Her year

In the 90-plus years since Time magazine has been naming a Person of the Year on its cover, only

four women have been featured: Wallis Simpson, Queen Elizabeth II, Corazon Aquino and now,

Angela Merkel. But even without the title conferred by the newsmagazine confirming it, and although

Donald Trump wasted no time in taking to Twitter to express his disgruntlement, there can be little

doubt that Merkel is indeed a person who most influenced the news this year for better or worse.

The German chancellor was instrumental in the resolution, temporary though it may yet prove to be,

of two grand crises featuring Greece and refugees that threatened the very idea of Europe.

For better or worse, Merkel played a pivotal role in the biggest stories of the past year, whether it

was sabre-rattling with Russia over Ukraine, the game of economic brinkmanship with Greece, the

refugee crisis unfolding on Europes shores or anti-Islamic State airstrikes in the aftermath of Paris.

In debt-relief negotiations with Greece, she held the line until the latters radical-left government

capitulated to German terms and conditions, establishing Germany as Europes pre-eminent

economic policymaker. Then, in an act of political courage, she took the lead in opening German

borders to the thousands of refugees fleeing war-torn Syria, making Germany a moral leader on an

issue that brought out the parochial instincts of top European leadership see, for instance, the

toxic views promoted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Merkel has paid a political price for

this policy, but has managed to contain the backlash. Her recent decision to commit German military

forces to the anti-IS coalition is an important departure for a nation that has shied away from military

conflict after World War II.

In each case, Merkel has stepped up and taken the risk, despite challenges to her stewardship. In

doing so, she has cemented Germanys position as the European Unions indispensable nation.

Most importantly, she has proven to be a capable custodian of the idea of Europe.

disgruntlement

A feeling of sulky discontent

pivotal

Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.

brinkmanship

The art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, typically in politics.

capitulate

Cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender.

eminent

(of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession.

stewardship

The position of steward

indispensable

Absolutely necessary.

The Guardian

view on Jacob Zumas economics: not prudent, and a danger for the

future

outh Africa is a big country and in some ways a rich country. But, whether in colonial times, in the

apartheid era, or during the years of rule by the African National Congress, the combination of

volatile prices for the minerals that are its main asset, a constant need for investment from outside,

and pressure for better wages and conditions has meant its economy is especially difficult to steer.

When poor management at home combines with damaging changes in the world economy, trouble

soon follows in South Africa. Unhappily that is very much the case today. President Jacob Zumas

sacking of his respected finance minister Nhlanhla Nene this week represents another turn in the

countrys downward economic spiral.

After the news of Mr Nenes departure, and his replacement by a virtually unknown MP from the

ruling party who has little financial or economic experience, the currency tumbled. There was a

chorus of complaint from banks and investment houses, and a collective sigh went up from the

ANCs well-wishers everywhere. This comes only a week after one major credit agency joined

another in downgrading South Africas credit rating. Junk status, which would have disastrous

consequences, is only a step or two away.

There seems little reason to doubt that Mr Nene has been removed because he opposed spending

proposals, like those for a new nuclear power station, for supporting a new aircraft leasing deal for

South African Airways, and for pay increases for workers, which Mr Zuma wanted to push through.

The ministers view was that South Africa, already deep in debt, simply could not afford them,

leaving aside other strong arguments against the proposals.

The more fundamental problem is that Mr Zuma understands patronage very well, but seems to

have no economic strategy at all. He has packed government departments, other state institutions,

and the wholly or partly state-owned companies that have proliferated in South Africa, with people

who owe him loyalty in return for the well-paid positions that have come their way. These people, his

critics say, will protect him in the future, after he stands down as president in 2019, from the criminal

charges that still hang over him, and enable him to remain a power in the land even after he loses

formal office. Collectively this network of Mr Zumas people is a drag on the economy because their

pay and benefits eat up a large share of revenue for the little most of them do, and because they are

naturally inclined to place no obstacles in the way of the presidents fiscal imprudence.

This is not the way to secure the economic growth that South Africa must achieve if it is to even

begin to satisfy the needs, let alone the aspirations, of its people. Real unemployment stands at a

dismal 35%, youth unemployment is even worse at 50%, and the squatter townships, which were

supposed by now to have disappeared or been transformed, are still there. Ordinary South Africans

feel they have been shortchanged. Many of the promises of 1994, especially of material progress,

have been unfulfilled. They are in rebellious mood, with popular protests and strikes at

unprecedented levels. When the government concedes, as it has done over student fees and the

pay of some workers, it buys off protest for a while, but also adds to the strain on the indebted

economy. The unfortunate truth is that the strong growth that should have come after the crash did

not happen. The reasons are various, and not all of them are the governments fault. But under a

leader who seems to believe that there is an infinite amount of money in the government coffers,

South Africas difficulties have been hugely compounded.

As long ago as 2011, the National Planning Commission, established by Mr Zuma, concluded in its

report that there was a danger that the progress made since the ANC took over could be reversed.

Unfortunately that danger seems even closer today.

apartheid

(in South Africa) a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race.

steer

(of a person) guide or control the movement of (a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft), for example by turning a wheel or operating a rudder

patronage

The support given by a patron

proliferate

Increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.

imprudence

A lack of caution in practical affairs

squatter

A person who unlawfully occupies an uninhabited building or unused land

unprecedented

Never done or known before.

reverse

Move backward.

Editorials with Hindi vocab

The Hindu: December 11, 2015

Stay the course on Pakistan talks

The agreement( ) by India and Pakistan to resume( ) structured() talks, seven

years after the composite( ) dialogue( ) was stopped following the Mumbai terrorist

attacks, marks( ) a dramatic() improvement in bilateral() relations. Since Prime

Minister Narendra Modi met his Pakistani counterpart( ) Nawaz Sharif in Paris on the

sidelines( ) of the Climate( ) Conference on November 30, both sides have moved

fast to tackle( ) the key challenges that are holding back talks. The breakthrough(

) was achieved at the National Security Adviser-level discussions held in Bangkok on December

6. On the face of it, both sides have signaled( ) that they are ready for a give-

and-take( - ) approach. Mr. Modis Bharatiya Janata Party, both in Opposition and so

far in government at the Centre, had opposed any resumption() of dialogue without

concrete( ) action by the Sharif administration on the Mumbai attacks of 2008. For the

Pakistanis, mention() of Kashmir is a key issue. Mr. Sharif came under sharp() criticism

( )at home over the Ufa statement of July which had omitted( ) any reference( )

to Jammu and Kashmir. However, in the joint statement issued in Islamabad on Wednesday,

Pakistan has given assurances( ) on an early completion of the Mumbai attacks trial, and

resolved() to cooperate to eliminate( ) terrorism. India, on the other side, has agreed

to include Kashmir on the dialogue agenda.

Despite( ) the agreement to resume talks, guarded( ) optimism must be the

dominant() mood in New Delhi. Its the Modi governments Pakistan moment. Eighteen months

after it came to power, a period that saw an increase in border skirmishes( ) and

high-decibel( ) rhetoric( ), the government finally appears to

have realised that there is no alternative( ) to bilateral talks in engaging( ) with

Islamabad. While the constructive() steps the government has taken in the last 10 days,

something which it failed to do in the past 18 months, are really commendable(), it has to be

realistic( ) about the challenges ahead. Mr. Modi is venturing( ) into a path his

predecessors() had tested and retreated( ) from. The Manmohan Singh

government had tried to kick-start( ) stalled( ) discussions

through the resumed dialogue process, which met with the same fate() of the

composite( ) dialogue following the killing of Indian soldiers almost three years ago. In the

past, every time there was forward momentum() in India-Pakistan ties, there were attempts by

non-state and extra-state actors on the Pakistan side to derail( ) the process. Though

its too early to predict( ) the outcome( ) of the comprehensive( )

dialogue, it can be certainly seen that the proposal( ), which will have all the pillars of the

India-Pakistan relationship, including economic ties, people-to-people contacts and high-level

interaction, is a promising beginning. Both sides have time to build a strong foundation of renewed

engagement() before Mr. Modi goes to Islamabad next September. The agenda is wider this

time. What is needed, and crucial( ), is the political will to stay the course irrespective

( )of the challenges, and avoiding playing to the gallery. New Delhi particularly has to

internalise the logic of growing the constituency for peace within Pakistan, in Indias own national

interest, and therefore desist( ) from unnecessary attempts at points-scoring.

The Hindu: December 11, 2015 02:00 IST

The law and the celebrity

When celebrity( ) status is in conflict( ) with the law, public sentiment() will

revolve( ) around two narratives( ). The narrative of power and wealth would

suggest high status is a burden(), a disadvantage before the judiciary( ) because

judges will be chary( ) of being seen as favouring them. The more popular narrative,

however, is that the slow criminal justice system is always skewed() in favour of celebrities. It

will include folk( ) wisdom that even the otherwise fair and strict judiciary will cave in( )

to power and pelf( ). When an occasional() verdict( ) brings down a famous

personality, it will be seen as a victory( ) for the citizen and a blow ( )for justice. May 6,

2015 saw such a moment when Mumbai sessions judge D.W. Deshpande handed down(

) a five-year prison sentence to Bollywood star Salman Khan in a hit-and-run case. But

cynicism( ) took over( ) before the day was out when he was given bail( ).

Now, before the year is out, a clean acquittal( ) has been recorded in the Bombay High Court,

and faith in the justice system has been rocked( ) again or reaffirmed( ),

depending on which of the two narratives one subscribes to. For the rarefied(

) world of Mumbai stars and socialites, a superstar can do no wrong, and even if he does, the

gravity() of his offence should be balanced with whatever charitable or humanitarian

( )work he may have done, and the most lenient() course adopted. The judge, in

this milieu( ), is a lonely man who has to apply the law and pass a verdict( ) without

being swayed( ) by either the status of the individual involved or public opinion.

The judgment of Justice A.R. Joshi acquitting Khan may be sound in law. Yet, it is likely to revive(

) cynicism( ) about the administration of criminal justice in the country. It raises

a host of questions, not least of which is about who killed Nurullah Sharif in the September 2002

incident. The judge has termed() a key eyewitness, Ravindra Patil, a police bodyguard who is

now no more, unreliable( ). Has it now been accepted that it was Ashok Singh, the actors

driver who claimed responsibility in the latter stages of the trial, who was driving the car that night? If

so, is he going to be proceeded against? However, the questions are not limited to the judgment.

The police have been exposed( ) for their shoddy( )

investigation. An honest investigation is unlikely to have resulted in doubts being cast on as basic an

aspect as the identity of the person at the wheel. Crucial lapses( ) in the handling of the blood

samples have been recorded. The judge has ruled that it was not proved either that Khan was

driving the car or that he was drunk. Why then does the verdict raise uncomfortable questions? It

may be because after three recorded convictions, Salman Khan is yet to be punished