Peace on track in colombia
Colombia’s government now knows only too well that there is many a slip between the cup and the lip. In October, a referendum (जनमत संग्रह) to ratify a painstakingly negotiated peace deal it had signed with the long-time insurgent (विद्रोही/बागी) organization, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), was narrowly defeated. A more piecemeal, less ambitious and sequenced process since then has helped Bogota notch its first significant victory in effecting the peace deal with the rebels. Now, Colombia’s Congress has unanimously (सर्वसम्मति से) approved an amnesty (क्षमा/माफ़ी) law granting immunity to FARC fighters from prosecution (अभियोग) for committing minor crimes, clearing a major hurdle in effecting the revised peace accord. Those accused of major crimes will be tried by a special tribunal. The main difficulty in passing this measure was the intransigence (हठ/कठोरता) of the leading opposition, the right-wing Centro Democratico led by former President Alvaro Uribe, who had led a vigorous (सशक्त/ओजपूर्ण) campaign first against talks between the government and the rebels, later during the referendum and also when a revised accord was eventually signed and ratified by Congress on December 1. The party abstained during voting both during the ratification and when the amnesty law was introduced. The law helps overcome a key sticking point for those who voted “No” in the October referendum and who felt that the government was being too lenient (उदार/नरम/मृदु) with those among the FARC commanders accused of severe crimes. The law will reassure the rebels, who are moving to special demobilization zones, marking a breakthrough in the five-decade-long civil war that has taken more than 2,20,000 lives.
Without doubt, the Nobel Peace Prize given to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos gave him the necessary ballast (give stability to) and international support to carry out these steps. But there are other laws to be passed, including those addressing FARC’s demands for agrarian (कृषि या भूमि संबंधी) reform and compensation to victims of the civil war. There is still some distance to go before FARC converts itself into a political party to participate in the contested polity. Amendments to the peace accord include requirements from FARC to share details about any involvement in drug production and declaration of assets. But there is a clear commitment towards peace shown by both the government and FARC, especially after the initial accord was signed. If things go as per the government’s plan, the rebels should become civilians by May 2017, culminating (समापन होना/पराकाष्ठा पर पहुँचना) in the end of a process that began with negotiations four years ago.
Referendum (noun)
A general vote by the electorate on a single political question which has been referred to them for a direct decision/ a public vote on a particular issue. जनमत संग्रह
Synonyms: Public Vote, Plebiscite, Popular Vote, Ballot, Poll
Example: The employees were asked to vote on a referendum about the company insurance plan.
Insurgent (noun)
A person fighting against a government or invading force; a rebel or revolutionary. विद्रोही/बागी
Synonyms: Rebel, Revolutionary, Anarchical, Contumacious, Disobedient, Insurrectionary
Example: Though he was publicly aligned with the controlling party, he was secretly funding the insurgent movement.
Unanimously (adverb)
Without opposition; with the agreement of all people involved. सर्वसम्मति से
Synonyms: Unitary, Concordantly, Collectively, Consensually, cooperatively, harmoniously
Example: Hockey star Wayne Gretzky was the unanimous choice for athlete of the year.
Amnesty (noun)
Grant a pardon to. क्षमा/माफ़ी
Synonyms: Forgiveness, Reprieve, Absolution, Dispensation
Example: Thousands of former rebels have returned to their homes as a result of the government's declaration of an amnesty for all soldiers.
Prosecution (noun)
The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge. अभियोग
Synonyms: Incrimination, Charge, Imputation, Indictment
Example: The case was dropped because the prosecution had insufficient evidence to proceed.
Intransigence (noun)
A stubborn refusal to change/uncompromising. हठ/कठोरता
Synonyms: Obduracy, Uncompromising, Inflexibility, Rigidity, Adamancy
Example: When it comes to the safety of my children, I must always take an intransigent position to protect them.
Vigorous (adjective)
Strong, healthy, and full of energy. सशक्त/ओजपूर्ण
Synonyms: Dynamic, Effective, Efficient, Intense, Potent, Robust, Strenuous
Example: The rough mountain hike wore out even the vigorous athletes in the group.
Lenient (adjective)
Not strict. उदार/नरम/मृदु
Synonyms: Benign, Gentle, Mild, Emollient, Amiable, Affable
Example: When the principal is out of the building for a meeting, the teachers are more lenient with their students.
Agrarian (adjective)
Relating to cultivated land or the cultivation of land. कृषि या भूमि संबंधी
Synonyms: Agricultural, Natural, Peasant, Rustic, Uncultivated, Predial
Example: An agrarian college prepares men and women for careers in land cultivation.
Culminate (verb)
To come to a significant point such as the end of an event. समापन होना/पराकाष्ठा पर पहुँचना
Synonyms: Cap, Climax, Conclude, End Up, Terminate, Wind Up
Example: At the end of the night, the concert will culminate in a huge fireworks display.
Resentment (noun)
Bitter indignation at/ a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will. रोष /द्वेष
Synonyms: Bitterness, Cynicism, Displeasure, Exasperation, Grudge, Ill Will, Indignation
Example: As a parent, Greg resents the school administrator telling him how to control his children.
Paradoxically (adverb)
In a manner that is contradictory. विडंबना से/ विरोधाभासी तरीके से
Synonyms: In Contradictive Or Colliding Manner
Example: strong>Paradoxically, the economy is improving although many families complain about the poverty in which they live.
Nicety (noun)
Fine or subtle detail or distinction. परिशुद्धता / अति सूक्ष्मता
Synonyms: Precision, Accuracy, Exactness, Meticulousness
Example: Doctors and nurses use nicety when writing reports so that the readers will know exactly what they mean.
Hefty (adjective)
Large and heavy. भारी
Synonyms: Of Significance, Of Importance, Weighty, Robust
Example: The announcement by the king to increase the taxes on farmers is a hefty deal of imprudence.
Lampoon (verb)
Publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm. कटाक्ष करना/आक्षेप करना
Synonyms: Satirize, Mock, Ridicule, Insinuate
Example: Because Freddy posted an uncomplimentary lampoon of his boss on his Facebook page, he soon found himself looking for new employment.
Trifle (adjective)
Something of small importance/ considerably insignificant. तुच्छ /हल्का/निरर्थक
Synonyms: Trivial, Minor, Insignificant, Petty, Diminutive
Example: Those who fight over trifle issues never succeed in their life
Preach (verb)
Earnestly advocate (a belief or course of action). प्रचारित करना
Synonyms: Advocate, Recommend, Advise, Urge, Exhort, Teach, Counsel
Example: Fitness preaches the value of regular, vigorous exercise.
Proffer (verb)
Hold out or put forward (something) to someone for acceptance. प्रस्ताव करना/निवेदन करना
Synonyms: Offer, Tender, Present, Submit, Suggest, Propose, Put Forward
Example: The prosecutor’s proffer for the witness includes no jail time and witness protection for three years.
Ponderous (adjective)
(especially of speech or writing) dull or laborious. भारी/ बोझल
Synonyms: Laborious, Dull, Awkward, Clumsy, Turgid, Stodgy, Stolid
Example: To allure the investors, Presentations should be exciting and engaging not ponderous.
Blithe (adjective)
Carefree and unconcerned/ showing a casual and cheerful indifference प्रफ़ुल्ल
Synonyms: Happy, Cheerful, Cheery, Merry, Blissful, Ecstatic, Euphoric, Gladsome, Mirthful
Example: Sarah was so blithe about her father’s death that she had a party after his funeral.
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