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Editorial · 2 min read · THE HINDU PAPER EDITORIAL

India's Doping Scourge: A Deep-Rooted Challenge

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India's persistent struggle with doping has once again cast a shadow over its sporting ambitions. Recent revelations of numerous positive tests, particularly among athletes slated for the Commonwealth and upcoming Asian Games, underscore a deeply entrenched issue. This alarming trend is particularly disconcerting given India's unenviable record of consistently topping global doping charts. The consequences are dire: national pride is eroded , and deserving athletes are deprived of opportunities, as evidenced by forced withdrawals from prestigious international events. The incentive of substantial financial rewards for medalists often drives up the temptation for shortcuts, making athletes and coaches susceptible to illicit substances. International bodies, including the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), have voiced serious reservations , with the AIU even observing India's diminished status. While the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has endeavored to step up testing and intelligence-led raids despite being perennially understaffed, its effectiveness is hampered by a lack of operational autonomy from the government. Urgent legislative reforms , such as the proposed National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, 2025, are imperative to bolster NADA's powers and its affiliated organizations. Moreover, a drastic increase in budgetary allocation is crucial , reversing previous cuts, to equip NADA with adequate resources. Addressing the pervasive supply chain of banned performance-enhancing drugs demands a concerted effort. Ultimately, to truly root out this widespread doping culture and uphold its sporting integrity , India must commit to resolute and comprehensive reforms as it looks towards hosting major international sporting events in the future.

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Vocabulary from this Editorial

affiliated adjective

Officially attached or connected to an organization or institution.

Synonyms: associated, linked, connected

"The local club is <b>affiliated</b> with a national sports federation."

alarming adjective

Worrying or frightening.

Synonyms: disturbing, frightening, disquieting

"The rapid spread of misinformation is an <b>alarming</b> trend in society."

autonomy noun

The right or condition of self-government; freedom from external control or influence.

Synonyms: independence, self-rule, sovereignty

"The regional government demanded greater <b>autonomy</b> in fiscal matters."

bolster verb

To support or strengthen; to make something stronger or more effective.

Synonyms: strengthen, reinforce, support

"The government launched a new campaign to <b>bolster</b> public confidence in the economy."

commit verb

To pledge or bind oneself to a certain course of action or policy; to carry out or perpetrate (a mistake or crime).

Synonyms: pledge, dedicate, devote

"We must <b>commit</b> ourselves to achieving our goals with determination."

concerted adjective

Jointly arranged or carried out; coordinated.

Synonyms: coordinated, united, joint

"Only a <b>concerted</b> effort by all departments can solve the crisis."

crucial adjective

Of great importance; critical.

Synonyms: critical, vital, essential

"Having a clear strategy is <b>crucial</b> for success in competitive exams."

deprived adjective

Suffering from a lack of a specified essential or desirable asset or quality.

Synonyms: disadvantaged, bereft, destitute

"Children in war-torn regions are often <b>deprived</b> of basic necessities like food and shelter."

disconcerting adjective

Causing one to feel unsettled.

Synonyms: unsettling, disturbing, unnerving

"The sudden silence in the usually bustling city was quite <b>disconcerting</b>."

drastic adjective

Likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect; radical and extreme.

Synonyms: extreme, severe, radical

"To overcome the financial crisis, the company had to take <b>drastic</b> measures."

endeavored verb

Tried hard to do or achieve something.

Synonyms: strived, attempted, labored

"The team <b>endeavored</b> to complete the project before the deadline."

entrenched adjective

Firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change; deep-rooted.

Synonyms: ingrained, fixed, settled

"The company's antiquated policies were deeply <b>entrenched</b> and resisted all attempts at modernization."

eroded verb

Gradually wore away or destroyed (something).

Synonyms: diminished, deteriorated, worn away

"Years of neglect had <b>eroded</b> the ancient building's foundation."

hampered verb

Hindered or impeded the movement or progress of.

Synonyms: hindered, impeded, obstructed

"Heavy rain <b>hampered</b> the rescue efforts in the flooded region."

illicit adjective

Forbidden by law, rules, or custom; illegal.

Synonyms: illegal, unlawful, prohibited

"The authorities cracked down on the trade of <b>illicit</b> goods."

imperative adjective

Of vital importance; crucial.

Synonyms: essential, urgent, critical

"It is <b>imperative</b> that we act quickly to address climate change."

incentive noun

A thing that motivates or encourages one to do something.

Synonyms: motivation, stimulus, encouragement

"The bonus acts as an <b>incentive</b> for employees to work harder."

integrity noun

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

Synonyms: honesty, sincerity, morality

"The judge was praised for his unwavering <b>integrity</b> and fairness."

legislative adjective

Relating to laws or the making of laws.

Synonyms: statutory, lawful, legal

"The new <b>legislative</b> framework aims to protect consumer rights."

operational adjective

In working order and ready for use; relating to the functioning of an organization.

Synonyms: functional, active, working

"The new system became <b>operational</b> after several months of testing."

perennially adverb

In a way that continues or recurs over a long time; enduringly.

Synonyms: persistently, constantly, continually

"The region is <b>perennially</b> plagued by water shortages during the dry season."

pervasive adjective

Spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.

Synonyms: widespread, ubiquitous, omnipresent

"The internet has a <b>pervasive</b> influence on modern society."

reforms noun

The improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, or unsatisfactory.

Synonyms: improvements, changes, amendments

"Educational <b>reforms</b> are needed to adapt to the changing job market."

resolute adjective

Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

Synonyms: determined, unwavering, steadfast

"The leader remained <b>resolute</b> in her decision despite widespread criticism."

reservations noun

A qualification to an agreement or statement; a doubt.

Synonyms: doubts, qualms, misgivings

"Some members expressed serious <b>reservations</b> about the proposed policy changes."

revelations noun

A surprising and previously unknown fact that has been disclosed to others.

Synonyms: disclosures, discoveries, unveilings

"The recent <b>revelations</b> about the company's financial dealings shocked investors."

substantial adjective

Of considerable importance, size, or worth.

Synonyms: considerable, significant, sizable

"The project received <b>substantial</b> funding from international donors."

susceptible adjective

Likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.

Synonyms: vulnerable, prone, liable

"Children are more <b>susceptible</b> to colds and flu than adults."

underscore verb

To emphasize the importance of something.

Synonyms: emphasize, highlight, stress

"The recent data <b>underscore</b> the urgent need for environmental protection."

uphold verb

To maintain or affirm (a custom or practice).

Synonyms: maintain, support, defend

"It is essential to <b>uphold</b> the principles of justice and equality."

Phrasal Verbs

cast a shadow over

To make a situation less happy or hopeful; to have a negative influence.

"The ongoing scandal has <i>cast a shadow over</i> the company's reputation."

drives up

To increase or cause to increase rapidly.

"High demand for housing <i>drives up</i> property prices."

step up

To increase an amount, pace, or effort.

"The police decided to <i>step up</i> patrols in the area due to rising crime."

root out

To find and destroy or get rid of something completely.

"The government launched a campaign to <i>root out</i> corruption in public offices."

looks towards

To anticipate or plan for something in the future.

"The company <i>looks towards</i> expanding into new markets next year."

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