Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Republican journey: on the President’s address to the nation

Republican journey: on the President’s address to the nation

The President should stay clear of partisan political discourse

In her customary (प्रथागत, परंपरागत) address to the nation on the eve of the 76th Republic Day, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, said that the Constitution has become a living document due to the millennia-old civic virtues of the country. Ms. Murmu also paid tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee, and other members of the Constituent Assembly, who created a document that would guide the country’s progress. Connecting India’s journey as a modern Republic to its heritage (विरासत, सांस्कृतिक धरोहर), the President said the constitutional values of justice, liberty (स्वतंत्रता, आज़ादी), equality, and fraternity (भाईचारा) have always been a part of India’s civilisation. Sceptics who doubted India’s prospects at the time of Independence have been proven wrong due to these inherent (अंतर्निहित, सहज) strengths of the country. The President highlighted the representative character of the Constituent Assembly, whose members were drawn from every part of, and communities in, the country, including 15 women. While women’s equality was at that time only a distant ideal in much of the world, Indian women were contributing to shaping the nation’s destiny, she noted. Reflecting on the progress over 75 years, Ms. Murmu commended the Union government’s efforts to move past the relics (अवशेष, प्राचीन वस्तुएं) of the colonial era, particularly the “audacity (दुस्साहस, साहस, धृष्टता) of vision” of replacing colonial-era criminal laws with three new laws rooted in Indian traditions of jurisprudence (न्यायशास्त्र, विधिशास्त्र).

The President strongly advocated the controversial proposal for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies as a means to redefine good governance. The draft Bill on simultaneous elections, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, is under review by a joint committee of Parliament. The President waded (To walk through water or a similar substance) into the debate with the argument that synchronised elections would promote consistency in governance, prevent policy paralysis, mitigate resource diversion (An activity that distracts from a main task or a change in direction), and reduce financial burdens. It is a contentious (विवादास्पद, झगड़ालू) topic and Opposition parties that are a part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive (समावेशी, समग्र) Alliance have opposed the plan on the ground that it violates the basic structure of the Constitution and undermines federalism. Not surprisingly, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has alleged that there is a “tendency” to impose a “One Nation, One Party” agenda by undermining the Opposition. The President could have stayed clear of this topic. The government will need to tread carefully to ensure that the First Citizen is not drawn into what is essentially a partisan political debate. Unity without uniformity is key to a more perfect union. And Republic Day is as good as any other day to reiterate that.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Customary (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - प्रथागत, परंपरागत
English Meaning - According to traditional practices or customs.

2.Heritage (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - विरासत, सांस्कृतिक धरोहर
English Meaning - Property, traditions, or qualities passed down from previous generations.

3.Fraternity (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - भाईचारा
English Meaning - A group of people sharing common interests or the spirit of brotherhood.

4.Liberty (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - स्वतंत्रता, आज़ादी
English Meaning - The state of being free within society from restrictions.

5.Inherent (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अंतर्निहित, सहज
English Meaning - Existing as a natural or essential characteristic.

6.Relics (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - अवशेष, प्राचीन वस्तुएं
English Meaning - Objects from the past that have historical or sentimental value.

7.Audacity (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - दुस्साहस, साहस, धृष्टता
English Meaning - Boldness or daring, often with a disregard for personal safety or conventional norms.

8.Jurisprudence (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - न्यायशास्त्र, विधिशास्त्र
English Meaning - The theory or philosophy of law.

9.Contentious (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - विवादास्पद, झगड़ालू
English Meaning - Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

10.Inclusive (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - समावेशी, समग्र
English Meaning - Including all people and groups without discrimination.

11.Wade (Verb)

English Meaning - To walk through water or a similar substance.

12.Diversion (Noun)

English Meaning - An activity that distracts from a main task or a change in direction.