Inappropriate use of words in Journalism

In a bid to blindly copy western use of vocabulary, the Indian press seems to use words in an inappropriate & even offensive way. In this context, it may also be emphasised that modernity & westernisation are definitely not synonymous. It is perfectly possible to be a perfectly modern Indian without paying obeisance to the West.

Nowhere is this more glaring than in the use of women's names. The second name (which happens to be the father's or husband's personal name) is used, sometimes with a prefix Ms. or even without it. Thus the present central finance minister is referred to as Seetharaman, which is actually a man's name. The correct way to refer might be Ms. Nirmala, or Madam Finance Minister (as is done in the west) with the Ms., being used as the honorific. The father's or husband's given name should not be converted as the family name.

The other inaccurate usage refers to using "christening" indiscriminately for naming even non-Christians. It might be avoided even for in-animate objects like ships etc., to avoid needless inference of religion, & use the non-denominational word "naming."

The most offensive usage is the word "beefed up" to mean strengthening. There is absolutely no medical evidence that eating beef does actually strengthen humans. It was created by the mainly carnivorous west to cater to their unfounded belief. It's usage is inaccurate & highly revolting to the traditional Hindus, for whom it is taboo.