Daily editorial vocabulary · 28 October 2026
The Hindu editorial, 28 October 2026
What today's editorials said in short, then 10 hard words with the meaning they have in that sentence. Select any word on this page to see how ftak explains it.
Small fish: On Operation Trident
Operation Trident was a multi-agency raid on October 23 against a drug syndicate working across the India-Myanmar-Bangladesh corridor, and 18 people were arrested. It grew out of the NCB's case after an alleged Myanmar-based kingpin was caught in Delhi in May. The government wants drug networks gone by the end of 2029 and plans to break up 100 major cartels. The editorial says arrests and seizures are up, but the people at the top, often abroad, still go free, as in the 2021 Mundra heroin case. It wants agencies to follow the money and convict the real bosses instead of the carriers.
Read the full editorial on The HinduFouled waters: On Rajasthan's river pollution
The Supreme Court has again criticised Rajasthan for letting factory waste run into the Jojari river. The Jojari, Luni and Bandi flow through Jodhpur, Balotra and Pali, where textile-dyeing and steel units have dumped poorly treated waste for years, putting about 20 lakh people at risk. The Court set up an oversight committee in 2025 and has banned construction within 100 metres of the rivers and hazardous industry within 500 metres. The editorial agrees that officials may have colluded with polluters, but says the Court should make regulators do their job instead of doing it for them.
Read the full editorial on The HinduVocabulary from the editorials
1.eradicate (verb)
to get rid of something completely
“…the deadline to eradicate drug networks…”
Similar: wipe out, eliminate
2.kingpin (noun)
the most important person in a group, here the boss of a drug gang
“…an alleged Myanmar-based kingpin in Delhi…”
Similar: ringleader, boss
3.envisages (verb)
plans for or imagines something as a future result
“…It envisages dismantling 100 major cartels…”
Similar: foresees, plans
4.brought to book (phrase)
made to answer for a crime, usually by being tried and punished
“…suppliers have yet to be brought to book…”
Similar: held accountable, punished
5.apprehending (verb)
catching and arresting someone
“…apprehending the "big sharks"…”
Similar: arresting, capturing
6.effluents (noun)
liquid waste let out by factories or sewage systems
“…industrial effluents flowing into the Jojari river…”
Similar: discharge, waste water
7.suo motu (adjective)
started by a court on its own, without anyone filing a case
“…initiated a suo motu writ petition in 2025…”
Similar: on its own motion, self-initiated
8.upbraided (verb)
told someone off sharply for doing something wrong
“…upbraided local authorities for failing to enforce…”
Similar: scolded, reprimanded
9.dereliction (noun)
failing to do a job you are responsible for
“…Given the dereliction in play…”
Similar: negligence, neglect
10.collusion (noun)
secret cooperation to do something dishonest
“…collusion between State officials and industrial mafias…”
Similar: conspiracy, complicity
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