Passport to reform
The progressive changes introduced by the Centre to the rules governing grant of passports were long overdue. They simplify, in great measure, the paperwork needed for an Indian citizen to get the document. In order to screen applications to prevent impersonation (पररूप धारण) , some of the earlier rules may have made sense at some point of time, but over the years the bureaucratic impediments (बाधाएं/ अवरोध/रुकावट) that the cumbersome (जटिल/ भारी भरकम) requirements posed to genuine applicants were so severe (सख़्त/कडा/ कठोर) that many had to knock on the doors of high courts for remedy (निवारण/सुधार) . Some rules were targeted at women. The most specious (स्पष्ट) form of harassment (परेशानी/कष्ट) of women passport applicants related to those who were either separated or divorced. Even something as routine as renewing a passport without any change of name or detail or getting a passport in the name of a child was a laborious process, as passport officials insisted on either the father’s consent or demanded a divorce decree (हुक्मनामा/निर्णय) . Following the recommendations of an inter-ministerial committee comprising officials of the Ministries of External Affairs and Women and Child Development, crucial changes have been introduced. The application form now requires only the name of one parent, not both. This will enable single parents to apply for passports for their children without the name of either the father or the mother being printed in the document. The stipulation (शर्त/नियम/अनुबंध) that marriage certifications and divorce decrees should be provided has been removed; the obsolete (अप्रचलित/पुराने) concept of getting documents attested by notaries or magistrates has also been jettisoned (निकाल देना (सुधर के लिए)/अमान्य करना) , and self-declarations on plain paper would now be accepted.
A key reform is that a birth certificate is no more the main proof of date of birth, and other official documents, including Aadhaar number and PAN card, which contain the date, can be utilized. In the case of orphaned children, actual proof for date of birth has been dispensed with and a declaration from the head of a child care home or orphanage (अनाथालय) confirming the date is enough. In keeping with the times, adopted and surrogate children (Surrogacy is an arrangement or agreement whereby a woman agrees to carry a pregnancy for another person or persons, who will become the newborn child's parent(s) after birth and the child is called surrogate child.) can be issued passports even in the absence of the relevant documents, based on a declaration on plain paper. Sadhus and sanyasins have been allowed to mention their gurus in lieu of the names of their parents. The new rules address many irritants (परेशानी/क्षोभक) in the process of getting a passport, but also make one wonder why these were not introduced long ago. Ultimately, a passport ought to be every citizen’s right. Simplifying the procedures in obtaining one should be an ongoing exercise.
Impediment (noun)
A hindrance or obstruction in doing something. बाधाएं/अवरोध/रुकावट
Synonyms: Barrier, Interruption, Obstacle, Hindrance, Obstruction, Block, Restriction, Deterrent
Example: According to a number of teachers, the biggest impediment to working in a small town is the low salary paid to educators.
Cumbersome (adjective)
Complicated and therefore inefficient./ difficult to manage. जटिल/ भारी भरकम
Synonyms: Unmanageable, Ungainly, Inconvenient, Complicated, Complex, Involved, Inefficient
Example: The assignment was so cumbersome that Jill had to hire six temporary workers to assist her.
Severe (adjective)
Rigorous in restraint, punishment, or requirement. सख़्त/कडा/ कठोर
Synonyms: Harsh, Strict, Stringent, Rigorous, Stiff, Tough, Inflexible
Example: Generally, in our criminal justice system, severity of punishment depends on the seriousness of the crime.
Remedy (noun)
Something that corrects/ to provide or serve as a cure or solution for. निवारण/सुधार
Synonyms: Redressal, Treatment, Countermeasure, Solution, Correction, Restorative
Example: The President's advisor suggested the remedy for the economic problems is a tax cut.
Harassment (noun)
A feeling of intense annoyance caused by being tormented/ troubled. परेशानी/कष्ट
Synonyms: Tension, Bother, Botheration, Ado, Puzzlement, Aggravation
Example: Her complaints of harassment resulted in the firing of a man in the office.
Decree (noun)
An official order that has the force of law. हुक्मनामा/निर्णय
Synonyms: Order, Edict, Command, Mandate, Proclamation, Dictum, Promulgation
Example: Under the terms of my divorce decree, I am to receive a monthly allowance from my ex-husband.
Stipulation (noun)
A condition or requirement that is specified or demanded as part of an agreement. शर्त/नियम/अनुबंध
Synonyms: Precondition, Provision, Prerequisite, Requisite, Specification
Example: The contracts of the baseball players stipulate they must attend all practices and games.
Obsolete (adjective)
Of a kind or style no longer current./ no longer in use or no longer useful. अप्रचलित/पुराने
Synonyms: Outdated, Archaic, Anachronistic, Defunct, Extinct
Example: Many people believe the Internet has made the postal service obsolete.
Jettison (verb)
To eliminate something./ to get rid of as superfluous or encumbering. (निकाल देना (सुधार के लिए)/अमान्य करना)
Synonyms: Abandon, Discard, Dump, Scrap
Example: Keep the good memories in your heart and jettison the bad ones.
Irritant (noun)
Something that irritates or excite./ something that causes irritation and annoyance. परेशानी उत्पन्न करने वाला / क्षोभक
Synonyms: Aggravation, Bother, Nuisance, Causing Trouble
Example: The Irritants of new policy in the company were so bad that many employees left the company on the next day.
Rapprochement (noun)
An establishment or resumption of harmonious relations. घनिष्ठता/मैत्री
Synonyms: Harmonization, Reconciliation, Agreement, Cordiality, Friendliness, Reconcilement
Example: Officials hope that these talks will lead to a rapprochement with the rebels.
Astonishing (adjective)
Extremely surprising. आश्चर्यजनक/चौंका देने वाला
Synonyms: Astounding, Bewildering, Extraordinary, Spectacular, Staggering, Stunning
Example: Because of the astonishing number of people with drug addictions, the president has established a drug prevention commission.
Prophesy (verb)
Say that (a specified thing) will happen in the future. भविष्यवाणी करना/पहले से बता देना
Synonyms: Predict, Foretell, Forecast, Foresee, Augur, Prognosticate
Example: It can be prophesied on the basis of current situations that next year will be blissful for me.
Hem in (phrasal verb)
Surround in a restrictive manner. घिरना
Synonyms: Restrained, Constrained, Bound, Caged, Confined
Example: Hemmed in by stipulations he could not leave the company, as he has signed a bond while joining.
Heyday (noun)
The period of a person's or thing's greatest success, popularity, activity, or vigor. समृद्धि का उत्कर्ष/बहार
Synonyms: Prime, Peak, Peak of Perfection, Pinnacle, Acme, Zenith
Example: Her heyday lasted from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s, when she held the World Women's Championship for almost twenty years.
Inimical (adjective)
Tending to obstruct or harm./ not friendly. प्रतिकूल/विरोधी
Synonyms: Hostile, Unfriendly, Antagonistic, Unsympathetic, Malevolent, Malign
Example: As long as the two countries remain inimical, there will never be a treaty between them.
Eviscerate (verb)
Take away a vital or essential part of/ to remove the item that makes a person or thing strong. अशक्त कर देना
Synonyms: Weaken, Diminish, Cripple, Debilitate
Example: The bank is going to eviscerate the crooked businessman by freezing his assets.
Muse (noun)
Something or someone that inspires. प्रेरक शक्ति
Synonyms: Inspiration, Stimulus, Stimulation
Example: When the composer wanted inspiration for a love song, he would stare at the muse he had been married to for over thirty years.
Derisive (adjective)
Expressing contempt or ridicule. असंगत/व्यंगात्मक
Synonyms: Mocking, Ridiculing, Jeering, Scoffing, Jibing, Pillorying, Teasing
Example: His derisive comment on my family made me angry instantly and I resigned immediately.
Mammoth (adjective)
So exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant. विशाल/बहुत बड़ा
Synonyms: Huge, Enormous, Gigantic, Giant, Colossal, Massive, Vast, Immense
Example: Jeff works for a mammoth sized corporation that hires thousands of employees all over the world.
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