Statesmanship at pearl harbour
Conspicuous (सुस्पष्ट/सहजदृश्य) gestures of reconciliation (सामंजस्य/पुनः मैत्री) between nations to heal the deep emotional wounds of wars will have connotations (लक्ष्यार्थ/संकेतार्थ) that go beyond the symbolic. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, through his visit to Pearl Harbour this week, and U.S. President Barack Obama, with his homage (श्रद्धांजलि) at the peace memorial at Hiroshima earlier in May, have undertaken this bold and difficult journey on behalf of their peoples more than 70 years after atrocities (नृशंसता) were committed against each other during World War II. That so much time should have been lost in both instances to put the painful past behind them only speaks to the powerful presence of nationalist sensibilities that invariably distort the moral force of reconciliation. That this should have occurred only now, despite the enduring economic engagement of several decades between Washington and Tokyo, merely underscores their ticklish (अस्थिर/पेचीदा) nature and the strong political overtones involved. In the case of Japan, the conservatives have long regarded any attempt to own up the slaughter (हत्या या वध करना) of hundreds of U.S. marines at Pearl Harbour in 1941 as nothing but a betrayal (विश्वासघात) of the national interest. In fact, in comparison, earlier visits to the naval base by Japanese leaders were relatively low-key affairs.
As for Washington, veterans of the war have seen little justification in the claim that the devastation caused by the twin nuclear bombings had to be condoled (शोक प्रकट करना) . In their view, the horror in Hiroshima and Nagasaki brought the war to a close sooner than it might otherwise have been. They have also sought to repudiate (खण्डन करना/नकारना) the narrative that the dropping of the atom bomb was a calculated demonstration of U.S. and western military superiority in a Cold War scenario. These competing nationalistic accounts have possibly helped the current generation in the two countries to see such views with a healthy dose of skepticism (संशयवाद /संदेहवाद) . Messrs Abe and Obama have displayed a statesmanlike readiness to rise above partisan (पक्षावलम्बी/पक्षपाती/ prejudiced in favour of a particular cause.) accounts, emphasizing instead the need to bridge the gulf that neither history nor geography could have narrowed. President-elect Donald Trump’s pre-election rhetoric (शब्दाडंबरपूर्ण/वक्रपटुता) painted a picture of Japan as a nation that ought to be prepared to invest more in its own defence. The favorable public opinion in both countries towards each other will possibly prove critical in consolidating (संघटित करना/मजबूत करना) upon the current strengths in the economic partnership and weathering the uncertainties of the future. Prime Minister Abe and President Obama have shown how history can be revisited in a realistic manner. It remains for countries grappling (जूझ रहे) with their own complex pasts to draw the right lessons from this.
Conspicuous (adjective)
Clearly visible./ attracting notice or attention. सुस्पष्ट/सहजदृश्य
Synonyms: Clear, Visible, Noticeable, Observable, Discernible, Perceptible, Detectable
Example: During the summer months, the mosquitoes are very conspicuous near the water.
Reconciliation (noun)
The restoration of good relations between individuals, groups, or territories who had become divided for some reason. सामंजस्य/पुनः मैत्री
Synonyms: Rapprochement, Harmony, Reuniting, Reunion
Example: The reconciliation between the two kings will never occur because both men are too stubborn.
Connotation (noun)
Suggested or implied meaning. लक्ष्यार्थ/संकेतार्थ
Synonyms: Meaning, Intension, Significance, Essence
Example: No matter how you look at it, the word lucky will always have a positive connotation.
Ticklish (adjective)
(of a situation or problem) difficult or tricky and requiring careful handling. अस्थिर/पेचीदा
Synonyms: Problematic, Tricky, Delicate, Sensitive, Controversial, Awkward, Prickly
Example: Her ticklish nature is creating problems in the company, so it was suggested to expel him out.
Slaughter (verb)
To kill someone. हत्या या वध करना
Synonyms: Kill, Murder, Assassinate
Example: The United Nations is sending in peace-keeping troops to stop the slaughter in the war affected region.
Betrayal (noun)
The action of betraying/deluding one's country, a group, or a person. विश्वासघात
Synonyms: Disloyalty, Treachery, Perfidy, Faithlessness
Example: The betrayal of his friend led to defeat in the war for the king.
Condole (verb)
Express sympathy for (someone); grieve with. शोक प्रकट करना
Synonyms: Lament, Console
Example: I offered my neighbor my condolence when I heard of his mother’s death.
Skepticism (noun)
An attitude of doubting the truth of something (such as a claim or statement). संशयवाद /संदेहवाद
Synonyms: Doubtfulness, Dubiousness, a Pinch of Salt, Disbelief, Cynicism, Mistrust, Suspicion
Example: A healthy skepticism is always good as it leads to clarity of issues
Consolidate (verb)
Combine (a number of things) into a single more effective or coherent whole. संघटित करना/मजबूत करना
Synonyms: Combine, Unite, Merge, Integrate, Amalgamate, Bring Together
Example: While we were stranded on the island, we chose to consolidate our resources for the benefit of everyone.
Rhetoric (adjective)
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques./persuasive or impressive language which is often insincere (??????????????/?????????)
Synonyms: Hyperbole, Oratory, Balderdash, Linguistic, Elocution
Example: The senator will be a great president because he is big on action and low on rhetoric
Vigilantism (noun)
Keeping a watchful or close eye on events and people. सतर्कता
Synonyms: Carefulness, Cautiousness, Chariness, Heedfulness, Wariness, Watchfulness
Example: The CEO’s vigilantism over the each employee was fruitful as the revenue was always soaring.
Succor (verb)
Assistance in time of difficulty/help in a difficult situation सहायता देना /मदद देना
Synonyms: Sustenance, Aid, Help, Relief, Support
Example: Even though Holly is painfully shy, she is never hesitant to offer succor to anyone who is in pain.
Onus (noun)
Something that is one's duty or responsibility. दायित्व /कर्त्तव्य
Synonyms: Vouchment, Responsibility, Liability, Obligation, Duty
Example: Computers have made researching so simple that students no longer have to take onus for collecting their own data.
Din (noun)
A loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise. शोरगुल//हंगामा
Synonyms: Noise, Clamor, Sputter, Cacophony, Clatter, Commotion
Example: The din from my neighbor’s party will probably keep me up all night.
Embolden (verb)
Give (someone) the courage or confidence to do something./ to motivate or inspire someone to do something. प्रोत्साहित करना
Synonyms: Encourage, Stimulate, Promote, Energize
Example: If we give in to the terrorists, our actions will embolden other terrorist groups to commit the same criminal acts.
Perpetrate (verb)
To execute or carry out/ perform an act, usually with a negative connotation. करना
Synonyms: Carry Out, Commit, Execute, Enact, Perform, Bring About
Example: The angry widower has vowed to perpetrate an act of vengeance against the man who killed his family.
Flog (verb)
Beat (someone) with a whip or stick as a punishment. मारना पीटना
Synonyms: Beat, Lam, Manhandle
Example: The sailors were flogged for attempting a mutiny.
Clamor (noun)
Utter or proclaim insistently and noisily. कोलाहल
Synonyms: Din, Loud Noise, Uproar, Tumult, Ruckus, Turmoil
Example: As soon as the people learn about the little boy’s murder, they are going to clamor for justice.
Fillip (noun)
Something which acts as a stimulus or boost to an activity. प्रोत्साहन
Synonyms: Stimulus, Boost, Encouragement, Incitement, Incentive, Impetus, Inducement, Motivation
Example: Whenever you feel de-motivated, use path of successful persons as a fillip to go ahead.
Remuneration (noun)
Compensation for something (goods or services). हर्जाना/मुआवज़ा
Synonyms: Compensation, Reimbursement, Wage
Example: The salary earned by teachers is not enough remuneration for all the work they do on a daily basis.
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