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The Hindu Editorials snapshot

Editorial 1

Justice in Food: On the New EAT-Lancet Commission Report

The latest EAT-Lancet Commission report highlights how global food systems lie at the centre of today’s major crises — from climate change to biodiversity loss and pollution. Food production accounts for nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, while livestock farming contributes the most to agricultural pollution and resource use. The report stresses that only a combination of actions — reducing food waste, improving productivity, and changing diets — can reverse these harmful impacts. Agriculture today produces excessive nitrogen levels, far exceeding safe environmental limits. Although efficiency gains have helped production, poor policy often cancels these environmental benefits. The Commission warns that even with major efforts, global food systems will only just return to safe levels by mid-century, especially under worsening climate shocks. In India, a cereal-heavy diet must evolve to include more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, though this could raise costs and affect affordability. Achieving justice in food means shifting towards healthy, affordable, and regionally suited diets while avoiding social disruption linked to religion, caste, or habit. Stronger supply reform is needed to reduce groundwater depletion, soil damage, and fossil fuel use in farming and processing. Finally, fair food systems require transparency, worker rights, and consumer participation in governance — moving from profit-driven models to equitable, sustainable frameworks that protect both people and the planet

Editorial 2

The Second Issue: On Surrogacy for a Second Child

The Supreme Court is examining whether married couples facing secondary infertility should be allowed to use surrogacy for having a second child. At present, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 allows surrogacy only for couples without any surviving children, except in cases where the child suffers from a severe mental, physical, or life-threatening condition. The petitioners argued that a law limiting surrogacy only to couples without children unfairly interferes with personal reproductive freedom. They maintained that infertility, whether primary or secondary, should be treated equally. The government, however, stated that surrogacy is not a fundamental right and involves ethical concerns about using another woman’s body. Recently, the Court relaxed the age rule for couples with frozen embryos, showing openness to interpretation. If the intent of the law is to stop exploitation and regulate fertility clinics, then banning couples with one child from using surrogacy seems inconsistent. There is no national restriction on how many children a couple can have, even though several States promote a two-child norm through incentives. A broader understanding of the law could both help infertile couples and ensure surrogacy remains ethical and non-commercial.

The Indian Express Editorials snapshot

Editorial 3

Donald Trump Wants to Be Xi Jinping – Or Is That a Joke?

US President Donald Trump recently expressed his wish for his Cabinet to behave like Chinese President Xi Jinping’s delegation he met in Busan, where officials sat attentively and spoke only when permitted. Trump joked about wanting similar discipline and respectfulness from his advisors, particularly criticizing Vice-President J.D. Vance for interrupting conversations. This remark drew attention due to concerns that Trump admires authoritarian-style control, contrasting with the typically vocal and independent nature of US Cabinet members. Critics suggest his comment reflects a desire for unquestioned loyalty rather than democratic openness. Despite the humor, the comparison highlights tensions over leadership styles and political cultures between the US and China, with Trump’s wish revealing his preference for a more controlled and deferential government team.

Editorial 4

JNU is in the Dock, Its Distinctive Tradition of Debate in Peril

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has long been renowned for its vibrant culture of debate involving students, faculty, and administration, which contributed to its academic excellence and political prominence. However, recent years have seen sharp conflicts between the administration, faculty, and students, reflected in JNU’s involvement in over 600 Delhi High Court cases since 2011. Many cases relate to protests and free speech, indicating that the space for open dialogue is shrinking. Under current Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and her predecessor M Jagadesh Kumar, litigation peaked, often leading to court rulings favouring students due to procedural lapses by the administration. The university’s disciplinary rules impose heavy penalties for protests near academic buildings, including fines, rustication, and expulsion, sometimes for activities like graffiti, a heretofore accepted tradition. Despite JNU adopting the motto “Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya” (from darkness unto light), this investigation shows the administration must do more to uphold the principles of freedom and learning without fear.

Top Vocabulary Picks from Today’s Editorials

Word	Simple Meaning	Synonym	Antonym
Inception	The beginning or start of something	Commencement, origin	End, conclusion
Ethos	The characteristic spirit or culture of a community	Spirit, culture	Apathy, indifference
Catalyst	Something that speeds up or causes change	Stimulus, trigger	Hindrance, obstacle
Fraying	Becoming worn out or weakening	Deterioration, weakening	Strengthening, fixing
Disquieting	Causing unease or worry	Disturbing, troubling	Comforting, reassuring