Know your English
In the ongoing debate over who bears the responsibility in employment generation, the narrative swings like a pendulum between governmental bodies and individual citizens.
This discourse not only reflects the complexities of economic challenges but also plays a significant role in shaping public opinion. The attribution of responsibility to escalating unemployment rates is clearly visible among close to half the respondents. Three out of every 10 youngsters hold the Central government accountable, while one seventh point towards the State government for the squeeze in job opportunities.
Moreover, one third of the students attribute individual responsibility to the lack of employment opportunities (Table 5) and this perception is further nuanced by the belief in the efficacy of the Central government’s efforts. While some acknowledge the endeavours made by the government in creating job opportunities, others assert that these efforts have fallen short of expectations. Interestingly, only one in every six (16%) admitted to a complete failure on the part of the Central government in providing adequate employment opportunities (Table 6).
Will issue of unemployment drive voter’s choice?
In the realm of electoral decisionmaking among Delhi’s youth, unemployment and inflation emerge as the important issues shaping voting preferences. Nearly four in five youngsters assert that the issues of unemployment and inflation would impact their voting decision. When asked to select the most important issue that would shape their vote choice, the issue of unemployment eclipses other important concerns, with nearly twofifths of the students emphasising its significance. In contrast, inflation (23%), leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi (12%), corruption (9%), and other issues trail behind (Table 7). This data captures the centrality of economic concerns, especially unemployment, in shaping the electoral calculus of Delhi’s youth.
In the leadup to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has strategically positioned itself as the forerunner of development and inclusivity, particularly targeting the youth demographic. The data suggests that despite the BJP’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and selfreliance, the youth’s aspiration for stable government jobs persists, highlighting a desire for security amid economic uncertainties.
Furthermore, the attribution of responsibility for rising unemployment exposes the politicisation of economic issues, with divergent perceptions of the government’s effectiveness in addressing this challenge.
Ultimately, the issue of unemployment emerges as a pivotal factor shaping the voting preferences of Delhi’s youth, eclipsing other concerns such as inflation and leadership.
Please send in your answers to dailyquiz@thehindu.co.in
“Fifth column (Sheela Paranjoti, New Delhi).”
“‘Fifth column’ means ‘a group working for an enemy within a country at war.’ During the Spanish Civil War (193639), when Gen. Franco’s forces were marching towards Madrid in four columns, a fifth column of his supporters actively assisted him within Madrid itself. Any organisation or individual working within a country to assist the enemy is called a fifth column. ‘Fifth column’ is a translation of the Spanish ‘quinta columna.’ A fifth columnist is ‘a member of a fifth column, a traitor or spy.’ The Fifth Column is the title of a play written by Ernest Hemingway in 1937 about the Spanish Civil War. ‘Quinary’ means ‘of the number five,’ ‘having five parts.’ ‘Quinquennial’ means ‘lasting five years,’ ‘recurring every five years.’ ‘Quinquennium’ means ‘a period of five years.’ ‘Quinquagenarian’ is ‘a person 50 to 59 years old.’ ‘Quintan’ means (of fever and the like) ‘occurring every fifth day’. ‘Quintet’ is any group of five. ‘Quintuplet’ means ‘each of five children born at one birth.’ ‘Quintuplicate’ means ‘fivefold.’ ‘In quintuplicate’ means ‘in five identical copies.’ ‘Quintessence’ is the most essential part of anything. ‘Quintessence’ means the fifth essence. In ancient and medieval Western philosophy, it was believed that besides the four elements, earth, air, fire and water, the fifth essence or element, ether, was the most important and was considered the constituent matter of the heavenly bodies.
The Gita is the quintessence of the Upanishads.”
“Early, early on (Shanta Barua, Calcutta).”
“They do not mean the same. ‘Early on’ means ‘soon after the start of a past event’. It refers ‘to an early point or stage in a process or course of events.’
Early on in life, he realised every person has a price.
Early on, his father told him that he would be a successful painter.
Early on, he was an indifferent student. Later he became a diligent one.
‘Early’ means ‘before the usual or appropriate time.’
He gets up early.
You cannot say ‘He gets up early on.’
Early on in his student days, he used to get up early. Now he does not.”
“Instantly, instantaneously (Subha Chatterjee, Darjeeling).”
“‘Instantly’ means ‘immediately, at once.’
When he heard the news, he left the place instantly.
I met him for the first time and liked him instantly.
‘Instantaneously’ means ‘taking an imperceptibly short time to occur.’
When two events occur in such a way that the interval between them is imperceptible, you use ‘instantaneous’.
The explosion occurred instantaneously when she touched the transistor radio.
There was an instantaneous applause when he arrived at the place of meeting.
These days only careful writers maintain the distinction between the two words.”
Published in The Hindu on July 23, 1991.