House in disorder: On the monsoon session of Parliament
exa 3 min read 25 new words
As the monsoon parliamentary session commenced on July 20, a student protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan gained significant traction. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), buoyed by its recent victory in the West Bengal Assembly election, initially anticipated using the session to showcase its strength. However, widespread public disapproval following the severe police crackdown on student demonstrators in Delhi drastically altered this outlook, especially after footage emerged of officers allegedly assaulting and attempting to sexually abuse young people. Despite a lack of accountability for these clear breaches of law by police personnel, the BJP and the central government faced persistent criticism from opposition parties and various segments of the public. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were notably absent from much of the proceedings. Several legislative proposals were approved with insufficient debate. Among these, the government enacted a Bill that supports a February directive from the Home Ministry, mandating the singing of the complete version of the national song, Vande Mataram, at all state functions. Additionally, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill was passed amidst opposition objections, seemingly disregarding concerns about its potential to weaken federalism and infringe upon the rights of communities residing on resource-rich lands.
This amendment to mining regulations regrettably continues a pattern of rushed legislative processes and an ongoing expansion of central government authority, often at the expense of states and local populations. The session also saw the enactment of stricter measures aimed at curbing examination malpractices, an attempt to pacify student discontent. The effectiveness of these measures in rebuilding trust within the education system, however, remains to be seen. Mr. Pradhan ultimately stepped down from his position during the session. Two other legislative initiatives — one seeking to quickly establish a new framework for the delimitation process and another to regulate foreign contributions — did not fully materialize but are still under consideration. This outcome was not inevitable. The government ought to facilitate broader and more transparent discussions regarding both delimitation and the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). While the FCRA Amendment Bill will now be scrutinized by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, this review should not devolve into a mere numbers game. The central government must convene an all-party meeting, circulate draft legislation, and consult with State Chief Ministers on its delimitation proposals. Although the Opposition may have succeeded in impeding the government’s actions on delimitation and the FCRA, it should refrain from celebrating prematurely. As the BJP itself has learned, political circumstances can shift rapidly. In any event, Parliament should not be perceived as a confrontational arena where one side triumphs over another; rather, it must serve as a platform for continuous dialogue and a collective effort to address the nation's challenges.
English: Support or attention that something receives, allowing it to progress or become popular. Explanation: When an idea, product, or movement gains 'traction', it means it is starting to get popular, accepted, or is making progress because people are supporting it.
समर्थन, पकड़, गति
Traction
NounHard
English: Support or attention that something receives, allowing it to progress or become popular. Explanation: When an idea, product, or movement gains 'traction', it means it is starting to get popular, accepted, or is making progress because people are supporting it.
समर्थन, पकड़, गति
Examples
The new policy struggled to gain traction among the public.
Think of a car tire needing 'traction' on a slippery road to move forward. An idea needs 'traction' to move forward.
Verb (past participle)Hard
English: Lifted up or supported, often metaphorically, to make someone feel more cheerful or confident. Explanation: To be 'buoyed' by something means to feel encouraged or supported by it, often helping you stay positive or afloat in a difficult situation.
उत्साहित, सहारा दिया हुआ
Buoyed
Verb (past participle)Hard
English: Lifted up or supported, often metaphorically, to make someone feel more cheerful or confident. Explanation: To be 'buoyed' by something means to feel encouraged or supported by it, often helping you stay positive or afloat in a difficult situation.
Buoy (like a float in water) keeps you up. So, to be 'buoyed' means to be kept up emotionally.
VerbMedium
English: Regarded as probable; expected or predicted. Explanation: When you 'anticipate' something, you expect it to happen or you prepare for it because you think it will happen.
प्रत्याशित, अनुमानित
Anticipated
VerbMedium
English: Regarded as probable; expected or predicted. Explanation: When you 'anticipate' something, you expect it to happen or you prepare for it because you think it will happen.
प्रत्याशित, अनुमानित
Examples
We anticipated a large crowd for the concert.
Synonyms
Expected, predicted, foreseen, awaited, hoped for, estimated, projected
'Anti' (before) + 'cipate' (take/grasp) - taking something before it happens, i.e., expecting it.
AdverbMedium
English: In a way that is likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect; severely or extremely. Explanation: If something changes 'drastically', it changes very suddenly and significantly, often to an extreme degree.
नाटकीय रूप से, अत्यधिक
Drastically
AdverbMedium
English: In a way that is likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect; severely or extremely. Explanation: If something changes 'drastically', it changes very suddenly and significantly, often to an extreme degree.
'Drastic' sounds like 'drastic measures' which are extreme.
NounMedium
English: A person's point of view or general attitude to life; a prospect for the future. Explanation: Your 'outlook' is your general attitude towards life or a particular situation, or it can refer to what is likely to happen in the future.
दृष्टिकोण, संभावना
Outlook
NounMedium
English: A person's point of view or general attitude to life; a prospect for the future. Explanation: Your 'outlook' is your general attitude towards life or a particular situation, or it can refer to what is likely to happen in the future.
दृष्टिकोण, संभावना
Examples
Her positive outlook helped her through difficult times.
Pessimism, gloom, despair, retrospect, hindsight, past
Memory Trick
Look 'out' into the future or 'out' at the world to form your view.
AdverbHard
English: Used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof. Explanation: If something happened 'allegedly', it means someone claims it happened, but it hasn't been proven yet, often used in legal or journalistic contexts.
कथित तौर पर
Allegedly
AdverbHard
English: Used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof. Explanation: If something happened 'allegedly', it means someone claims it happened, but it hasn't been proven yet, often used in legal or journalistic contexts.
कथित तौर पर
Examples
He allegedly committed the crime, but the investigation is ongoing.
'Allegedly' sounds like 'a legal claim' - a claim that needs proof.
NounHard
English: Acts of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct. Explanation: 'Breaches' are violations or failures to follow rules, laws, or agreements.
उल्लंघन, भंग
Breaches
NounHard
English: Acts of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct. Explanation: 'Breaches' are violations or failures to follow rules, laws, or agreements.
To 'breach' a wall is to break through it. To 'breach' a rule is to break it.
AdjectiveMedium
English: Continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. Explanation: Someone or something that is 'persistent' continues for a long time or refuses to give up, even when it's difficult.
लगातार, दृढ़
Persistent
AdjectiveMedium
English: Continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. Explanation: Someone or something that is 'persistent' continues for a long time or refuses to give up, even when it's difficult.
English: Relating to laws or the making of laws. Explanation: 'Legislative' refers to the process of making laws, or to the branch of government responsible for making laws.
विधायी, कानूनी
Legislative
AdjectiveHard
English: Relating to laws or the making of laws. Explanation: 'Legislative' refers to the process of making laws, or to the branch of government responsible for making laws.
English: Requiring (something) to be done; making compulsory. Explanation: 'Mandating' means making something a requirement or compulsory, often by an official order or law.
अनिवार्य बनाना, आदेश देना
Mandating
VerbHard
English: Requiring (something) to be done; making compulsory. Explanation: 'Mandating' means making something a requirement or compulsory, often by an official order or law.
English: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. Explanation: 'Federalism' is a type of government where power is shared between a national (federal) government and local (state/provincial) governments.
संघवाद
Federalism
NounHard
English: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. Explanation: 'Federalism' is a type of government where power is shared between a national (federal) government and local (state/provincial) governments.
'Federal' means related to a central government, so 'federalism' is the system of having both central and state governments.
PhraseHard
English: Actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.); encroach on. Explanation: To 'infringe upon' something means to violate a law, right, or agreement, or to intrude on someone's space or rights.
उल्लंघन करना, अतिक्रमण करना
Infringe upon
PhraseHard
English: Actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.); encroach on. Explanation: To 'infringe upon' something means to violate a law, right, or agreement, or to intrude on someone's space or rights.
उल्लंघन करना, अतिक्रमण करना
Examples
The new regulations might infringe upon individual liberties.
Synonyms
Violate, trespass, encroach on, intrude on, breach, contravene, overstep
Antonyms
Respect, uphold, protect, observe, honor, safeguard, comply with
Memory Trick
'In-fringe' - like stepping on the fringe (edge) of someone's rights, thus crossing the line.
AdverbMedium
English: In a way that expresses regret; unfortunately. Explanation: 'Regrettably' is used to say that something is unfortunate or that you feel sorry about it.
खेदजनक रूप से, दुर्भाग्य से
Regrettably
AdverbMedium
English: In a way that expresses regret; unfortunately. Explanation: 'Regrettably' is used to say that something is unfortunate or that you feel sorry about it.
खेदजनक रूप से, दुर्भाग्य से
Examples
Regrettably, we have to cancel the event.
Synonyms
Unfortunately, sadly, lamentably, sadly, deplorably, woefully, alas
'Regret' means to feel sorry, so 'regrettably' means in a way that causes regret.
VerbHard
English: Restraining or keeping in check (something undesirable). Explanation: 'Curbing' means to control or limit something, especially something negative or undesirable.
अंकुश लगाना, नियंत्रित करना
Curbing
VerbHard
English: Restraining or keeping in check (something undesirable). Explanation: 'Curbing' means to control or limit something, especially something negative or undesirable.
Think of a 'curb' on the side of a road that stops a car from going off.
NounHard
English: Improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment. Explanation: 'Malpractices' are unethical, illegal, or improper actions, especially in a professional context.
कदाचार, कुप्रथाएँ
Malpractices
NounHard
English: Improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment. Explanation: 'Malpractices' are unethical, illegal, or improper actions, especially in a professional context.
English: Quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of (someone). Explanation: To 'pacify' someone or a situation means to calm them down, make them peaceful, or appease their anger.
शांत करना, संतुष्ट करना
Pacify
VerbHard
English: Quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of (someone). Explanation: To 'pacify' someone or a situation means to calm them down, make them peaceful, or appease their anger.
English: Dissatisfaction with one's circumstances; a lack of contentment. Explanation: 'Discontent' is a feeling of unhappiness or dissatisfaction, often with a situation or government.
असंतोष, नाराजगी
Discontent
NounHard
English: Dissatisfaction with one's circumstances; a lack of contentment. Explanation: 'Discontent' is a feeling of unhappiness or dissatisfaction, often with a situation or government.
Contentment, satisfaction, happiness, peace, serenity, pleasure, joy
Memory Trick
'Dis' (not) + 'content' (satisfied) = not satisfied.
NounHard
English: The process of fixing the boundaries or limits of electoral constituencies or geographical areas. Explanation: In politics, 'delimitation' is the act of redrawing the borders of voting districts to ensure fair representation based on population changes.
परिसीमन
Delimitation
NounHard
English: The process of fixing the boundaries or limits of electoral constituencies or geographical areas. Explanation: In politics, 'delimitation' is the act of redrawing the borders of voting districts to ensure fair representation based on population changes.
परिसीमन
Examples
The government announced a new commission for the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies.
"De-limit-ation" - defining or setting limits/boundaries.
VerbHard
English: Become actual fact; happen or appear. Explanation: If something 'materializes', it means it actually happens or appears, often after being planned or hoped for.
साकार होना, मूर्त रूप लेना
Materialize
VerbHard
English: Become actual fact; happen or appear. Explanation: If something 'materializes', it means it actually happens or appears, often after being planned or hoped for.
साकार होना, मूर्त रूप लेना
Examples
Her dreams of becoming an artist finally materialized.
Synonyms
Appear, happen, emerge, actualize, occur, manifest, take shape
'In' (not) + 'evitable' (avoidable) = not avoidable.
VerbHard
English: Make (an action or process) easy or easier. Explanation: To 'facilitate' something means to make it easier for it to happen or for someone to do it.
सुविधा प्रदान करना, आसान बनाना
Facilitate
VerbHard
English: Make (an action or process) easy or easier. Explanation: To 'facilitate' something means to make it easier for it to happen or for someone to do it.
Bookmark difficult words to your Word Bank and review them regularly to lock them into memory.
Vocabulary
NounHard
English: Support or attention that something receives, allowing it to progress or become popular. Explanation: When an idea, product, or movement gains 'traction', it means it is starting to get popular, accepted, or is making progress because people are supporting it.
समर्थन, पकड़, गति
Traction
NounHard
English: Support or attention that something receives, allowing it to progress or become popular. Explanation: When an idea, product, or movement gains 'traction', it means it is starting to get popular, accepted, or is making progress because people are supporting it.
समर्थन, पकड़, गति
Examples
The new policy struggled to gain traction among the public.
Think of a car tire needing 'traction' on a slippery road to move forward. An idea needs 'traction' to move forward.
Verb (past participle)Hard
English: Lifted up or supported, often metaphorically, to make someone feel more cheerful or confident. Explanation: To be 'buoyed' by something means to feel encouraged or supported by it, often helping you stay positive or afloat in a difficult situation.
उत्साहित, सहारा दिया हुआ
Buoyed
Verb (past participle)Hard
English: Lifted up or supported, often metaphorically, to make someone feel more cheerful or confident. Explanation: To be 'buoyed' by something means to feel encouraged or supported by it, often helping you stay positive or afloat in a difficult situation.
Buoy (like a float in water) keeps you up. So, to be 'buoyed' means to be kept up emotionally.
VerbMedium
English: Regarded as probable; expected or predicted. Explanation: When you 'anticipate' something, you expect it to happen or you prepare for it because you think it will happen.
प्रत्याशित, अनुमानित
Anticipated
VerbMedium
English: Regarded as probable; expected or predicted. Explanation: When you 'anticipate' something, you expect it to happen or you prepare for it because you think it will happen.
प्रत्याशित, अनुमानित
Examples
We anticipated a large crowd for the concert.
Synonyms
Expected, predicted, foreseen, awaited, hoped for, estimated, projected
'Anti' (before) + 'cipate' (take/grasp) - taking something before it happens, i.e., expecting it.
AdverbMedium
English: In a way that is likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect; severely or extremely. Explanation: If something changes 'drastically', it changes very suddenly and significantly, often to an extreme degree.
नाटकीय रूप से, अत्यधिक
Drastically
AdverbMedium
English: In a way that is likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect; severely or extremely. Explanation: If something changes 'drastically', it changes very suddenly and significantly, often to an extreme degree.
'Drastic' sounds like 'drastic measures' which are extreme.
NounMedium
English: A person's point of view or general attitude to life; a prospect for the future. Explanation: Your 'outlook' is your general attitude towards life or a particular situation, or it can refer to what is likely to happen in the future.
दृष्टिकोण, संभावना
Outlook
NounMedium
English: A person's point of view or general attitude to life; a prospect for the future. Explanation: Your 'outlook' is your general attitude towards life or a particular situation, or it can refer to what is likely to happen in the future.
दृष्टिकोण, संभावना
Examples
Her positive outlook helped her through difficult times.
Pessimism, gloom, despair, retrospect, hindsight, past
Memory Trick
Look 'out' into the future or 'out' at the world to form your view.
AdverbHard
English: Used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof. Explanation: If something happened 'allegedly', it means someone claims it happened, but it hasn't been proven yet, often used in legal or journalistic contexts.
कथित तौर पर
Allegedly
AdverbHard
English: Used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof. Explanation: If something happened 'allegedly', it means someone claims it happened, but it hasn't been proven yet, often used in legal or journalistic contexts.
कथित तौर पर
Examples
He allegedly committed the crime, but the investigation is ongoing.
'Allegedly' sounds like 'a legal claim' - a claim that needs proof.
NounHard
English: Acts of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct. Explanation: 'Breaches' are violations or failures to follow rules, laws, or agreements.
उल्लंघन, भंग
Breaches
NounHard
English: Acts of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct. Explanation: 'Breaches' are violations or failures to follow rules, laws, or agreements.
To 'breach' a wall is to break through it. To 'breach' a rule is to break it.
AdjectiveMedium
English: Continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. Explanation: Someone or something that is 'persistent' continues for a long time or refuses to give up, even when it's difficult.
लगातार, दृढ़
Persistent
AdjectiveMedium
English: Continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. Explanation: Someone or something that is 'persistent' continues for a long time or refuses to give up, even when it's difficult.
English: Relating to laws or the making of laws. Explanation: 'Legislative' refers to the process of making laws, or to the branch of government responsible for making laws.
विधायी, कानूनी
Legislative
AdjectiveHard
English: Relating to laws or the making of laws. Explanation: 'Legislative' refers to the process of making laws, or to the branch of government responsible for making laws.
English: Requiring (something) to be done; making compulsory. Explanation: 'Mandating' means making something a requirement or compulsory, often by an official order or law.
अनिवार्य बनाना, आदेश देना
Mandating
VerbHard
English: Requiring (something) to be done; making compulsory. Explanation: 'Mandating' means making something a requirement or compulsory, often by an official order or law.
English: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. Explanation: 'Federalism' is a type of government where power is shared between a national (federal) government and local (state/provincial) governments.
संघवाद
Federalism
NounHard
English: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. Explanation: 'Federalism' is a type of government where power is shared between a national (federal) government and local (state/provincial) governments.
'Federal' means related to a central government, so 'federalism' is the system of having both central and state governments.
PhraseHard
English: Actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.); encroach on. Explanation: To 'infringe upon' something means to violate a law, right, or agreement, or to intrude on someone's space or rights.
उल्लंघन करना, अतिक्रमण करना
Infringe upon
PhraseHard
English: Actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.); encroach on. Explanation: To 'infringe upon' something means to violate a law, right, or agreement, or to intrude on someone's space or rights.
उल्लंघन करना, अतिक्रमण करना
Examples
The new regulations might infringe upon individual liberties.
Synonyms
Violate, trespass, encroach on, intrude on, breach, contravene, overstep
Antonyms
Respect, uphold, protect, observe, honor, safeguard, comply with
Memory Trick
'In-fringe' - like stepping on the fringe (edge) of someone's rights, thus crossing the line.
AdverbMedium
English: In a way that expresses regret; unfortunately. Explanation: 'Regrettably' is used to say that something is unfortunate or that you feel sorry about it.
खेदजनक रूप से, दुर्भाग्य से
Regrettably
AdverbMedium
English: In a way that expresses regret; unfortunately. Explanation: 'Regrettably' is used to say that something is unfortunate or that you feel sorry about it.
खेदजनक रूप से, दुर्भाग्य से
Examples
Regrettably, we have to cancel the event.
Synonyms
Unfortunately, sadly, lamentably, sadly, deplorably, woefully, alas
'Regret' means to feel sorry, so 'regrettably' means in a way that causes regret.
VerbHard
English: Restraining or keeping in check (something undesirable). Explanation: 'Curbing' means to control or limit something, especially something negative or undesirable.
अंकुश लगाना, नियंत्रित करना
Curbing
VerbHard
English: Restraining or keeping in check (something undesirable). Explanation: 'Curbing' means to control or limit something, especially something negative or undesirable.
Think of a 'curb' on the side of a road that stops a car from going off.
NounHard
English: Improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment. Explanation: 'Malpractices' are unethical, illegal, or improper actions, especially in a professional context.
कदाचार, कुप्रथाएँ
Malpractices
NounHard
English: Improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment. Explanation: 'Malpractices' are unethical, illegal, or improper actions, especially in a professional context.
English: Quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of (someone). Explanation: To 'pacify' someone or a situation means to calm them down, make them peaceful, or appease their anger.
शांत करना, संतुष्ट करना
Pacify
VerbHard
English: Quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of (someone). Explanation: To 'pacify' someone or a situation means to calm them down, make them peaceful, or appease their anger.
English: Dissatisfaction with one's circumstances; a lack of contentment. Explanation: 'Discontent' is a feeling of unhappiness or dissatisfaction, often with a situation or government.
असंतोष, नाराजगी
Discontent
NounHard
English: Dissatisfaction with one's circumstances; a lack of contentment. Explanation: 'Discontent' is a feeling of unhappiness or dissatisfaction, often with a situation or government.
Contentment, satisfaction, happiness, peace, serenity, pleasure, joy
Memory Trick
'Dis' (not) + 'content' (satisfied) = not satisfied.
NounHard
English: The process of fixing the boundaries or limits of electoral constituencies or geographical areas. Explanation: In politics, 'delimitation' is the act of redrawing the borders of voting districts to ensure fair representation based on population changes.
परिसीमन
Delimitation
NounHard
English: The process of fixing the boundaries or limits of electoral constituencies or geographical areas. Explanation: In politics, 'delimitation' is the act of redrawing the borders of voting districts to ensure fair representation based on population changes.
परिसीमन
Examples
The government announced a new commission for the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies.
"De-limit-ation" - defining or setting limits/boundaries.
VerbHard
English: Become actual fact; happen or appear. Explanation: If something 'materializes', it means it actually happens or appears, often after being planned or hoped for.
साकार होना, मूर्त रूप लेना
Materialize
VerbHard
English: Become actual fact; happen or appear. Explanation: If something 'materializes', it means it actually happens or appears, often after being planned or hoped for.
साकार होना, मूर्त रूप लेना
Examples
Her dreams of becoming an artist finally materialized.
Synonyms
Appear, happen, emerge, actualize, occur, manifest, take shape
'In' (not) + 'evitable' (avoidable) = not avoidable.
VerbHard
English: Make (an action or process) easy or easier. Explanation: To 'facilitate' something means to make it easier for it to happen or for someone to do it.
सुविधा प्रदान करना, आसान बनाना
Facilitate
VerbHard
English: Make (an action or process) easy or easier. Explanation: To 'facilitate' something means to make it easier for it to happen or for someone to do it.
