MTO - All Editorials Snapshot: 08-October-2025

The Hindu Editorials snapshot

Editorial 1

Physics Nobel 2025 – The Power of Pure Scientific Curiosity

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for proving that quantum mechanics can govern entire electrical circuits, not just subatomic particles. In the 1980s, their experiments involving superconductors separated by a thin insulating barrier — called a Josephson junction — demonstrated macroscopic quantum tunnelling, where electric current “tunnels” through a barrier without enough classical energy, and energy quantisation, revealing discrete energy levels. These findings bridged visible circuits with the quantum world, confirming that large systems could behave as single quantum entities. Their research paved the way for superconducting qubits central to quantum computers, as well as ultrasensitive instruments like magnetometers, voltage standards, and photon detectors. Today’s challenge lies in maintaining these fragile quantum states long enough to be practically useful, driving research into low-loss materials and hybrid quantum designs. The laureates’ work shows how curiosity-driven science — once viewed as abstract — can create the foundation for technological revolutions, illustrating the enduring relevance of pure inquiry.

Editorial 2

Release Sonam Wangchuk – A Call for Democratic Restraint

The detention of climate activist and social reformer Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) is a troubling misuse of a law meant to counter threats to national security, not peaceful dissent. Wangchuk, long known for his non-violent advocacy of Ladakh’s demand for Statehood and Sixth Schedule protection, represents legitimate aspirations for self-governance and environmental security. His peaceful protests align with India’s democratic and Gandhian traditions, yet the Centre’s action conflates dissent with sedition. The Supreme Court has clarified that “law and order” differs from “public order,” with NSA applicable only when community life itself is disrupted — a condition absent in this case. Treating peaceful activism as a threat undermines democratic values. Similar laws have previously been used to suppress voices in Jammu and Kashmir after Article 370’s abrogation, revealing a pattern of overreach. The government should revoke Wangchuk’s detention and initiate genuine dialogue with Ladakh’s people. In a sensitive border region, empathy and engagement, not fear and force, are essential for stability and trust.

The Indian Express Editorials snapshot

Editorial 3

Hospital Fires and India’s Failing Safety Systems

The tragic fire at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Hospital, which killed at least six ICU patients, has once again exposed the deep flaws in India’s public-hospital safety framework. Triggered by a short circuit, the blaze revealed an appalling lack of basic precautions — faulty alarms, missing extinguishers, locked exits, and unprepared staff. This negligence mirrors a broader pattern across the country: repeated hospital fires in Ahmedabad, Jhansi, and other cities show systemic failure, with short-circuits, poor maintenance, and negligence by municipal and health authorities as recurring causes. Fire inspections remain a formality; building safety norms, evacuation drills, and NDMA guidelines exist largely on paper. The Rajasthan government’s new inquiry committee repeats a familiar ritual of post-tragedy response without lasting reform. Historically, those responsible have faced little to no punishment — most return to duty soon after, reinforcing a culture of impunity. Unless accountability and preventive enforcement become consistent, India’s public health infrastructure will remain one short circuit away from yet another catastrophe.

Editorial 4

Physics Nobel – Proving Small Can Be Big

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics went to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for groundbreaking experiments that demonstrated how quantum mechanics — usually confined to sub-atomic particles — can manifest in systems large enough to hold in one’s hand. Their work focused on quantum tunnelling, where particles like electrons pass through barriers without physically breaking them, a behaviour previously observed only at microscopic scales. In superconducting circuits, they showed this tunnelling effect on a macroscopic level, revolutionising understanding of quantum physics and enabling precise tests on silicon chips. This breakthrough underpins advances in next-generation technologies, from quantum computers to ultra-sensitive measurement devices. By making the “bizarre properties” of quantum systems concrete, the laureates bridged theory and practical application, proving that phenomena in the smallest scales can transform the largest realms of technology.

Top Vocabulary Picks from Today’s Editorials

Word	Simple Meaning	Synonym	Antonym
Exemplifies	Serves as a clear example of	Represents, illustrates	Misrepresents, obscures
Quantum tunnelling	Quantum process where particles pass through barriers	Particle penetration, quantum effect	Classical restriction
Profound	Deep, intense, or far-reaching	Deep, significant	Superficial, shallow
Insulating	Preventing passage of electricity or heat	Non-conducting, isolating	Conducting
Artefacts	Unintended or false observations	Distortion, error	Reality, authenticity