Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​Respect the mandate: On the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir elections

​Respect the mandate: On the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir elections

With elections done and dusted, J&K now must return to statehood (स्वतंत्र राज्य का दर्जा)

With the support of four independents, the National Conference-Congress-CPI(M) INDIA bloc (गठबंधन, संघ, समूह) alliance in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has now got the endorsement (समर्थन) of 53 of the 90 MLAs in the newly-elected Assembly. This should be a boost for Chief Minister-designate (नामित, चयनित) Omar Abdullah of the NC as he embarks upon (शुरू करना, आरंभ करना) the tough path of fulfilling promises made to the electorate (मतदाता वर्ग, निर्वाचन क्षेत्र) in the Union Territory. The INDIA bloc faced many odds (situations/conditions that make it seem impossible to do/achieve something) in these elections such as the fragmented (खंडित, बिखरा हुआ) party system in the Valley (घाटी) with multiple contenders; the challenge by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that went on to consolidate (मजबूत करना) its base (आधार, समर्थक वर्ग) in Jammu and sought to use the delimitation (the act of establishing limits or boundaries in a Treaty, Judgement or other Agreement) exercise to manufacture (निर्माण करना, गढ़ना) majority support, and a wary (सतर्क) electorate, possibly (संभवतः) disenchanted with the lack (कमी, अभाव) of Statehood, local representation and normal politics ever since the erstwhile (old, previous, former, then) State was bifurcated (split, divide, separate) and its special status diluted (weaken, reduce, impair, diminish, decrease, lessen, make dull). But the enthusiastic (keen, eager, interested, zealous, passionate, earnest) electorate had a clear message. In the Valley, the INDIA bloc was chosen decisively (conclusively, definitely, unquestionably, categorically) over rivals who included independents fielded (nominate, propose, put up (a candidate) to stand in an election) by the banned Jamaat-e-Islami. The National Conference’s steadfast (steady, constant, fixed, resolute, firm, committed, dedicated, determined, unrelenting, unchanging) moderation (self-restraint, temperance, reasonableness, reasonability, discipline) on Kashmiri autonomy (independence, freedom (from external control/influence); self-determination) and the rights of the citizens in the erstwhile State, the Congress’s message of reconciliation (restoration of friendly relations, restoration of harmony, agreement, compromise, understanding, peace, an end to hostilities; conciliation, pacification, appeasement) and support towards restoration (bringing back, reinstitution, reinstallation, re-establishment, revival) of Statehood, and the popularity of J&K’s lone (solo, only, lonely, solitary) Leftist (left-winger, a person with left-wing political views) and long-time legislator (a member of a legislature (parliament/congress/council/legislative assembly); lawmaker, (elected) representative) Mohamad Yousaf Tarigami helped the alliance reap (get, obtain, receive, acquire (benefit)) the lion’s share of seats in the Valley and win in reserved seats (for STs) in Jammu, with a respectable vote share across regions and communities.

The NC must now live up to (satisfy, fulfil, stand by, keep (to), abide by, adhere to) this mandate (जनादेश, आदेश) but the task is not easy. The BJP at the Centre has insisted on (persist, stand firm, be firm, be resolute, be determined, stand one’s ground) a hardline (single-minded, tough, extreme, uncompromising, strict, inflexible, unyielding) stance (position, standpoint, point of view, opinion, approach, perspective) towards India’s conflict-prone (subjected to armed conflict; suffering from armed clash) border province (a part of a country that has its own government; territory, region, area, state). The elections were also held after its hand was forced by the Supreme Court. While Home Minister Amit Shah has often promised the restoration of statehood, the undue (excessive, too much, disproportionate, needless, unreasonable, unjustified, inappropriate, unneeded, extreme, immoderate) delay in this basic step that would reassure the citizens suggests (indicate, denote, point to, signify) that the Centre was willing to do so only at a moment of its choosing (selection). But with the electorate ensuring that the INDIA bloc got the reins (the power to control) to power, it would be best if the Centre respected the mandate, accelerated (increase, speed up, expedite, precipitate, make faster, step up) the process of restoring statehood and allowed the newly elected government to fulfil its promises. This is an imperative (necessary condition, precondition, condition, essential requirement) as even if the autocratic (oppressive, undemocratic, tyrannical, dictatorial, totalitarian, high-handed, draconian) steps of the last few years have not brought back the dark days (unpleasant or frightening period of time) of the miiltancy (extremist, radical, sectarian group) of the 1990s, palpable (visible, noticeable, obvious, apparent, evident, conspicuous, distinct, clear, overt, striking) despondency (dejection, discouragement, hopelessness/despair) and disenchantment are evident. Statehood and a vibrant (spirited, lively, high-spirited, energetic, dynamic, exciting, passionate, determined) Assembly would help reactivate the political, administrative and civic aspects of democracy (a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through fairly & freely elected representatives) beyond electioneering (canvassing, campaign, an act of soliciting (asking for/requesting) votes; an organized effort that seeks to influence the decision-making progress within a specific group) and rule by fiat (an arbitrary or authoritative command or order to do something) from the Centre.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.mandate (noun)

Hindi Meaning - जनादेश, आदेश
English Meaning - approval, acceptance, endorsement, authority (given by a constituency to someone acting as its representative).

2.statehood (noun)

Hindi Meaning - स्वतंत्र राज्य का दर्जा
English Meaning - the condition of being an independent state.

3.bloc (noun)

Hindi Meaning - गठबंधन, संघ, समूह
English Meaning - alliance, association, union, group, camp.

4.endorsement (noun)

Hindi Meaning - समर्थन
English Meaning - approval, acceptance, mandate, authority (given by a constituency to someone acting as its representative).

5.designate (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - नामित, चयनित
English Meaning - appointed, nominated, selected, chosen, elected, named (but yet to take up the role/responsibility).

6.embark upon (phrasal verb)

Hindi Meaning - शुरू करना, आरंभ करना
English Meaning - start, begin, commence, undertake, get cracking on, take forward.

7.electorate (noun)

Hindi Meaning - मतदाता वर्ग, निर्वाचन क्षेत्र
English Meaning - all the people in a country who are eligible to vote in an election.

8.fragmented (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - खंडित, बिखरा हुआ
English Meaning - disintegrated, shattered, ruined, damaged, broken.

9.Valley (noun)

Hindi Meaning - घाटी
English Meaning - a low area between hills or mountains typically with a river running through it.

10.consolidate (verb)

Hindi Meaning - मजबूत करना
English Meaning - strengthen, reinforce, fortify; bring together, unite, merge, combine.

11.base (noun)

Hindi Meaning - आधार, समर्थक वर्ग
English Meaning - a group of people considered as supporting an organization/party.

12.manufacture (verb)

Hindi Meaning - निर्माण करना, गढ़ना
English Meaning - devise, formulate, frame, fabricate, think up, contrive.

13.wary (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - सतर्क
English Meaning - conscious, alert, awake, acquainted, heedful, watchful, careful, mindful.

14.possibly (adverb)

Hindi Meaning - संभवतः
English Meaning - may be, perhaps, very likely, feasibly.

15.lack (noun)

Hindi Meaning - कमी, अभाव
English Meaning - absence, non-existence, unavailability, deficiency.

16.done and dusted (phrase)

English Meaning - completed/finished successfully.

17.odds (noun)

English Meaning - situations/conditions that make it seem impossible to do/achieve something.

18.go on to (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - continue, carry on, proceed.

19.sought past tense of seek (verb)

English Meaning - try, aim, attempt.

20.delimitation (noun)

English Meaning - the act of establishing limits or boundaries in a Treaty, Judgement or other Agreement.

21.demarcation (noun)

English Meaning - the physical marking of the boundary on the ground.

22.disenchanted (noun)

English Meaning - disillusioned, disappointed, dissatisfied, let down, fed up.

23.erstwhile (adjective)

English Meaning - old, previous, former, then.

24.bifurcate (verb)

English Meaning - split, divide, separate.

25.dilute (verb)

English Meaning - weaken, reduce, impair, diminish, decrease, lessen, make dull.

26.enthusiastic (adjective)

English Meaning - keen, eager, interested, zealous, passionate, earnest.

27.decisively (adverb)

English Meaning - conclusively, definitely, unquestionably, categorically.

28.field (verb)

English Meaning - nominate, propose, put up (a candidate) to stand in an election.

29.steadfast (adjective)

English Meaning - steady, constant, fixed, resolute, firm, committed, dedicated, determined, unrelenting, unchanging.

30.moderation (noun)

English Meaning - self-restraint, temperance, reasonableness, reasonability, discipline.

31.autonomy (noun)

English Meaning - independence, freedom (from external control/influence); self-determination.

32.reconciliation (noun)

English Meaning - restoration of friendly relations, restoration of harmony, agreement, compromise, understanding, peace, an end to hostilities; conciliation, pacification, appeasement.

33.restoration (noun)

English Meaning - bringing back, reinstitution, reinstallation, re-establishment, revival.

34.lone (adjective)

English Meaning - solo, only, lonely, solitary.

35.leftist (noun)

English Meaning - left-winger, a person with left-wing political views.

36.legislator (noun)

English Meaning - a member of a legislature (parliament/congress/council/legislative assembly); lawmaker, (elected) representative.

37.reap (verb)

English Meaning - get, obtain, receive, acquire (benefit).

38.the lion’s share (phrase)

English Meaning - the most of something, the largest part of something; the greater number of, the main part of, more than half of, the bulk of something

39.live up to (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - satisfy, fulfil, stand by, keep (to), abide by, adhere to.

40.insist on (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - persist, stand firm, be firm, be resolute, be determined, stand one’s ground.

41.hardline (adjective)

English Meaning - single-minded, tough, extreme, uncompromising, strict, inflexible, unyielding.

42.stance (noun)

English Meaning - position, standpoint, point of view, opinion, approach, perspective.

43.conflict (noun)

English Meaning - war, warfare, armed conflict, military action, armed clash.

44.prone (adjective)

English Meaning - susceptible to, vulnerable to, liable to, subject to, vulnerable to, at/in risk of.

45.conflict-prone (adjective)

English Meaning - subjected to armed conflict; suffering from armed clash.

46.province (noun)

English Meaning - a part of a country that has its own government; territory, region, area, state,

47.held past participle of hold (verb)

English Meaning - conduct, organize, arrange.

48.force someone’s hand (phrase)

English Meaning - to make someone do something that they are not willing to do or to make someone do something before they are ready to do.

49.undue (adjective)

English Meaning - excessive, too much, disproportionate, needless, unreasonable, unjustified, inappropriate, unneeded, extreme, immoderate.

50.suggest (verb)

English Meaning - indicate, denote, point to, signify.

51.choosing (noun)

English Meaning - selection.

52.rein (noun)

English Meaning - the power to control.

53.take the reins (phrase)

English Meaning - to take control.

54.accelerate (verb)

English Meaning - increase, speed up, expedite, precipitate, make faster, step up.

55.imperative (noun)

English Meaning - necessary condition, precondition, condition, essential requirement.

56.autocratic (adjective)

English Meaning - oppressive, undemocratic, tyrannical, dictatorial, totalitarian, high-handed, draconian.

57.dark days (noun)

English Meaning - unpleasant or frightening period of time.

58.militancy (noun)

English Meaning - extremist, radical, sectarian group.

59.palpable (adjective)

English Meaning - visible, noticeable, obvious, apparent, evident, conspicuous, distinct, clear, overt, striking.

60.despondency (noun)

English Meaning - dejection, discouragement, hopelessness/despair.

61.disenchantment (noun)

English Meaning - disappointment, dissatisfaction, discontent, disillusionment, disgruntlement, sadness, unhappiness.

62.vibrant (adjective)

English Meaning - spirited, lively, high-spirited, energetic, dynamic, exciting, passionate, determined.

63.(Legislative) Assembly (noun)

English Meaning - Assembly/Vidhan Sabha; a legislative body in the states and union territories of India.

64.democracy (noun)

English Meaning - a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through fairly & freely elected representatives.

65.electioneering (noun)

English Meaning - canvassing, campaign, an act of soliciting (asking for/requesting) votes; an organized effort that seeks to influence the decision-making progress within a specific group.

66.fiat (noun)

English Meaning - an arbitrary or authoritative command or order to do something.