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Daily Reading 24th February

The Role of Civil Society in Strengthening Democracy

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are a quintessential component of a vibrant and participatory democracy. Occupying the space between the family, the state, and the market, these groups are voluntary associations formed by citizens to articulate their shared interests, values, and objectives. In India, civil society has historically played a pivotal role, acting as a crucial intermediary between the government and the governed. Their work is indispensable in holding power to account and ensuring that governance is responsive to the needs of the people, especially the most marginalized sections of the population.

One of the primary functions of civil society is to act as a watchdog, placing government actions under public scrutiny and demanding transparency. This enhances public accountability and acts as a bulwark against corruption and the arbitrary use of power. Through policy advocacy and grassroots mobilization, CSOs bring important social and environmental issues into the public discourse, often compelling the state to act. They are instrumental in the dissemination of information about citizens' rights and government schemes, thereby empowering people to claim their entitlements. By working to ameliorate social ills, they contribute to a more just and equitable society.

However, the role of civil society is not without its challenges and criticisms. A contentious issue often revolves around their funding, particularly foreign contributions, which can raise concerns about external influence on domestic policy. The functioning of some organizations can be opaque, leading to questions about their own internal governance and accountability. Furthermore, some groups may pursue narrow, parochial interests or engage in activities that are seen as disruptive rather than constructive. It is a fallacy to assume that all CSOs are inherently virtuous; some may have nefarious agendas.

Therefore, a pragmatic regulatory framework is essential. The government must strike a delicate balance between ensuring accountability and not unduly stifling the legitimate activities of these organizations. A relationship based on mutual trust and collaboration, rather than suspicion, is imperative for a healthy democracy. Civil society is not an adversary to the state but a valuable partner in achieving the collective goals of development and social justice.

लोकतंत्र को मजबूत करने में नागरिक समाज की भूमिका

नागरिक समाज संगठन (CSOs) एक जीवंत (vibrant) और सहभागी लोकतंत्र का एक सर्वोत्कृष्ट (quintessential) घटक हैं। परिवार, राज्य और बाजार के बीच के स्थान पर काबिज, ये समूह नागरिकों द्वारा अपने साझा हितों, मूल्यों और उद्देश्यों को स्पष्ट करने (articulate) के लिए बनाए गए स्वैच्छिक संघ हैं। भारत में, नागरिक समाज ने ऐतिहासिक रूप से एक महत्वपूर्ण (pivotal) भूमिका निभाई है, जो सरकार और शासितों के बीच एक महत्वपूर्ण मध्यस्थ (intermediaries) के रूप में कार्य करता है। उनका काम सत्ता को जवाबदेह ठहराने और यह सुनिश्चित करने में अपरिहार्य है कि शासन लोगों की जरूरतों के प्रति उत्तरदायी हो, खासकर आबादी के सबसे हाशिए पर (marginalized) पड़े वर्गों के लिए।

नागरिक समाज का एक प्राथमिक कार्य एक प्रहरी के रूप में कार्य करना है, सरकारी कार्यों को सार्वजनिक जांच (scrutiny) के दायरे में लाना और पारदर्शिता की मांग करना है। यह सार्वजनिक जवाबदेही (accountability) को बढ़ाता है और भ्रष्टाचार और शक्ति के मनमाने उपयोग के खिलाफ एक सुरक्षा कवच के रूप में कार्य करता है। नीति वकालत (advocacy) और जमीनी स्तर पर लामबंदी के माध्यम से, CSOs महत्वपूर्ण सामाजिक और पर्यावरणीय मुद्दों को सार्वजनिक विमर्श (discourse) में लाते हैं, जो अक्सर राज्य को कार्रवाई करने के लिए मजबूर करते हैं। वे नागरिकों के अधिकारों और सरकारी योजनाओं के बारे में जानकारी के प्रसार (dissemination) में सहायक होते हैं, जिससे लोग अपने हकों का दावा करने के लिए सशक्त होते हैं। सामाजिक बुराइयों को सुधारने (ameliorate) के लिए काम करके, वे एक अधिक न्यायपूर्ण और समान समाज में योगदान करते हैं।

हालांकि, नागरिक समाज की भूमिका चुनौतियों और आलोचनाओं से रहित नहीं है। एक विवादास्पद (contentious) मुद्दा अक्सर उनके वित्तपोषण के इर्द-गिर्द घूमता है, विशेष रूप से विदेशी योगदान, जो घरेलू नीति पर बाहरी प्रभाव के बारे में चिंता पैदा कर सकता है। कुछ संगठनों का कामकाज अपारदर्शी (opaque) हो सकता है, जिससे उनके स्वयं के आंतरिक शासन और जवाबदेही संरचनाओं के बारे में सवाल उठते हैं। इसके अलावा, कुछ समूह संकीर्ण, संकीर्ण (parochial) हितों का पीछा कर सकते हैं या ऐसी गतिविधियों में संलग्न हो सकते हैं जिन्हें रचनात्मक के बजाय विघटनकारी के रूप में देखा जाता है। यह मान लेना एक भ्रांति (fallacy) है कि सभी CSOs स्वाभाविक रूप से गुणी होते हैं; कुछ के कुटिल (nefarious) एजेंडे हो सकते हैं।

इसलिए, एक व्यावहारिक (pragmatic) नियामक ढांचा आवश्यक है। सरकार को जवाबदेही सुनिश्चित करने और इन संगठनों की वैध गतिविधियों को अनुचित रूप से दबाने (stifling) के बीच एक नाजुक संतुलन बनाना चाहिए। एक स्वस्थ लोकतंत्र के लिए संदेह के बजाय आपसी विश्वास और सहयोग पर आधारित संबंध अनिवार्य है। नागरिक समाज राज्य का विरोधी नहीं है, बल्कि विकास और सामाजिक न्याय के सामूहिक लक्ष्यों को प्राप्त करने में एक मूल्यवान भागीदार है।

গণতন্ত্ৰ শক্তিশালী কৰাত নাগৰিক সমাজৰ ভূমিকা

নাগৰিক সমাজ সংগঠন (CSOs) এক জীৱন্ত (vibrant) আৰু অংশগ্ৰহণমূলক গণতন্ত্ৰৰ এক उत्कृष्ट (quintessential) উপাদান। পৰিয়াল, ৰাষ্ট্ৰ আৰু বজাৰৰ মাজৰ স্থানত অৱস্থিত এই গোটবোৰ নাগৰিকসকলে নিজৰ উমৈহতীয়া স্বাৰ্থ, মূল্যবোধ আৰু উদ্দেশ্য প্ৰকাশ কৰিবলৈ (articulate) গঠন কৰা স্বেচ্ছাসেৱী সংগঠন। ভাৰতত, নাগৰিক সমাজে ঐতিহাসিকভাৱে এক কেন্দ্ৰীয় (pivotal) ভূমিকা পালন কৰি আহিছে, চৰকাৰ আৰু শাসিতৰ মাজত এক গুৰুত্বপূৰ্ণ মধ্যস্থতাকাৰী (intermediaries) হিচাপে কাম কৰি। তেওঁলোকৰ কাম ক্ষমতাক দায়বদ্ধ কৰা আৰু শাসন জনসাধাৰণৰ, বিশেষকৈ জনসংখ্যাৰ আটাইতকৈ প্ৰান্তীয় (marginalized) শ্ৰেণীৰ প্ৰয়োজনীয়তাৰ প্ৰতি সঁহাৰি জনোৱাটো নিশ্চিত কৰাত অপৰিহাৰ্য।

নাগৰিক সমাজৰ অন্যতম প্ৰাথমিক কাম হ'ল প্ৰহৰী হিচাপে কাম কৰা, চৰকাৰী কাৰ্যকলাপক ৰাজহুৱা পৰীক্ষা (scrutiny)-ৰ অধীনলৈ অনা আৰু স্বচ্ছতাৰ দাবী কৰা। ই ৰাজহুৱা জবাবদিহিতা (accountability) বৃদ্ধি কৰে আৰু দুৰ্নীতি তথা ক্ষমতাৰ স্বেচ্ছাচাৰী ব্যৱহাৰৰ বিৰুদ্ধে এক প্ৰতিৰোধক হিচাপে কাম কৰে। নীতি ওকালতি (advocacy) আৰু তৃণমূল পৰ্যায়ৰ সংগঠনৰ জৰিয়তে, CSOs-সমূহে গুৰুত্বপূৰ্ণ সামাজিক আৰু পাৰিপাৰ্শ্বিক বিষয়সমূহক ৰাজহুৱা আলোচনা (discourse)-লৈ আনে, প্ৰায়ে ৰাজ্যক পদক্ষেপ ল'বলৈ বাধ্য কৰায়। তেওঁলোকে নাগৰিকৰ অধিকাৰ আৰু চৰকাৰী আঁচনি সম্পৰ্কে তথ্যৰ প্ৰসাৰ (dissemination)-ত সহায় কৰে, যাৰ ফলত মানুহ নিজৰ প্ৰাপ্য দাবী কৰিবলৈ सशक्त হয়। সামাজিক কু-প্ৰথাসমূহ উন্নত কৰি (ameliorate), তেওঁলোকে এক অধিক ন্যায়সংগত আৰু সমতাপূৰ্ণ সমাজ গঢ়াত অৰিহণা যোগায়।

অৱশ্যে, নাগৰিক সমাজৰ ভূমিকা প্ৰত্যাহ্বান আৰু সমালোচনাৰ উৰ্ধত নহয়। এক বিতর্কিত (contentious) বিষয় প্ৰায়ে তেওঁলোকৰ পুঁজিৰ চাৰিওফালে گھূৰি থাকে, বিশেষকৈ বিদেশী অনুদান, যিয়ে ঘৰুৱা নীতিৰ ওপৰত বাহ্যিক প্ৰভাৱৰ চিন্তাৰ সৃষ্টি কৰিব পাৰে। কিছুমান সংগঠনৰ কাৰ্যকলাপ অস্বচ্ছ (opaque) হ'ব পাৰে, যাৰ ফলত তেওঁলোকৰ নিজৰ আভ্যন্তৰীণ শাসন আৰু জবাবদিহিতাৰ গাঁথনিৰ ওপৰত প্ৰশ্ন উত্থাপন হয়। তদুপৰি, কিছুমান গোটে সংকীৰ্ণ, সংকীৰ্ণতাবাদী (parochial) স্বাৰ্থ পূৰণ কৰিব পাৰে বা এনে কাৰ্যকলাপত লিপ্ত হ'ব পাৰে যাক গঠনমূলকৰ পৰিৱৰ্তে বিঘ্নকাৰী হিচাপে দেখা যায়। সকলো CSOs স্বাভাৱিকতে গুণী বুলি ধৰি লোৱাটো এক ভ্ৰান্তি (fallacy); কিছুমানৰ অসৎ (nefarious) উদ্দেশ্য থাকিব পাৰে।

সেয়েহে, এক বাস্তৱসন্মত (pragmatic) নিয়ন্ত্ৰক কাঠামো অপৰিহাৰ্য। চৰকাৰে জবাবদিহিতা নিশ্চিত কৰা আৰু এই সংগঠনসমূহৰ বৈধ কাৰ্যকলাপক অযথা দমন নকৰাৰ (stifling) মাজত এক সূক্ষ্ম ভাৰসাম্য ৰক্ষা কৰিব লাগিব। এখন সুস্থ গণতন্ত্ৰৰ বাবে সন্দেহৰ পৰিৱৰ্তে পাৰস্পৰিক বিশ্বাস আৰু সহযোগিতাৰ ওপৰত ভিত্তি কৰি এক সম্পৰ্ক অপৰিহাৰ্য। নাগৰিক সমাজ ৰাষ্ট্ৰৰ শত্ৰু নহয়, বৰঞ্চ উন্নয়ন আৰু সামাজিক ন্যায়ৰ সামূহিক প্ৰচেষ্টাত এক মূল্যবান অংশীদাৰ।

QUINTESSENTIAL


Meaning in English — Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

Meaning in Hindi — सर्वोत्कृष्ट; आदर्श

Meaning in Assamese — উৎকৃষ্ট; আদৰ্শ

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Quintessence (Noun)

Synonyms — Typical, Archetypal, Classic, Ideal, Exemplary.

Antonyms — Atypical, Unusual, Abnormal, Unrepresentative, Deviant.

Usage in a sentence — Civil society is a quintessential component of a democracy.

VIBRANT


Meaning in English — Full of energy and life.

Meaning in Hindi — जीवंत; ऊर्जावान

Meaning in Assamese — জীৱন্ত; উজ্জ্বল

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Vibrancy (Noun), Vibrantly (Adverb)

Synonyms — Spirited, Lively, Energetic, Dynamic, Animated.

Antonyms — Dull, Lifeless, Apathetic, Listless, Drab.

Usage in a sentence — A vibrant civil society is crucial for a healthy democracy.

ARTICULATE


Meaning in English — To express an idea or feeling fluently and coherently.

Meaning in Hindi — स्पष्ट रूप से व्यक्त करना

Meaning in Assamese — স্পষ্টভাৱে প্ৰকাশ কৰা

This Word is an English grammar: Verb

Forms — Articulation (Noun), Articulate (Adjective)

Synonyms — Express, Voice, State, Enunciate, Formulate.

Antonyms — Mumble, Stutter, Misrepresent, Stifle, Suppress.

Usage in a sentence — The organization helps to articulate the concerns of the community.

PIVOTAL


Meaning in English — Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.

Meaning in Hindi — महत्वपूर्ण; केंद्रीय

Meaning in Assamese — কেন্দ্ৰীয়; অতি গুৰুত্বপূৰ্ণ

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Pivot (Noun/Verb)

Synonyms — Crucial, Central, Critical, Vital, Essential.

Antonyms — Unimportant, Minor, Peripheral, Trivial, Secondary.

Usage in a sentence — Civil society plays a pivotal role in social movements.

INTERMEDIARIES


Meaning in English — People who act as a link between people in order to try to bring about an agreement; a go-between.

Meaning in Hindi — मध्यस्थ

Meaning in Assamese — মধ্যস্থতাকাৰী

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Intermediary (Singular)

Synonyms — Mediators, Go-betweens, Brokers, Agents, Liaisons.

Antonyms — Principals, Instigators, Sources, End-users, Protagonists.

Usage in a sentence — NGOs often act as intermediaries between communities and the government.

MARGINALIZED


Meaning in English — Treated as insignificant or peripheral.

Meaning in Hindi — हाशिए पर; उपेक्षित

Meaning in Assamese — প্ৰান্তীয়; উপেক্ষিত

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Marginalize (Verb), Marginalization (Noun)

Synonyms — Sidelined, Disenfranchised, Alienated, Ostracized, Victimized.

Antonyms — Empowered, Mainstream, Central, Privileged, Included.

Usage in a sentence — The program is designed to support marginalized groups.

SCRUTINY


Meaning in English — Critical observation or examination.

Meaning in Hindi — जांच; छानबीन

Meaning in Assamese — পৰীক্ষা; সূক্ষ্ম বিশ্লেষণ

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Scrutinize (Verb)

Synonyms — Examination, Inspection, Investigation, Analysis, Review.

Antonyms — Glance, Glimpse, Cursory look, Skim, Oversight.

Usage in a sentence — The new policy came under intense public scrutiny.

ACCOUNTABILITY


Meaning in English — The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.

Meaning in Hindi — जवाबदेही; उत्तरदायित्व

Meaning in Assamese — জবাবদিহিতা; দায়িত্ব

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Accountable (Adjective)

Synonyms — Responsibility, Liability, Answerability, Culpability, Obligation.

Antonyms — Irresponsibility, Impunity, Unaccountability, Exemption, Immunity.

Usage in a sentence — There is a lack of accountability in the system.

ADVOCACY


Meaning in English — Public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy.

Meaning in Hindi — वकालत; समर्थन

Meaning in Assamese — ওকালতি; সমৰ্থন

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Advocate (Noun/Verb)

Synonyms — Support, Promotion, Upholding, Endorsement, Championing.

Antonyms — Opposition, Condemnation, Criticism, Denunciation, Resistance.

Usage in a sentence — Her advocacy for children's rights is commendable.

DISCOURSE


Meaning in English — Written or spoken communication or debate.

Meaning in Hindi — विमर्श; प्रवचन

Meaning in Assamese — আলোচনা; বিতৰ্ক

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Discourse (Verb)

Synonyms — Discussion, Conversation, Dialogue, Debate, Communication.

Antonyms — Silence, Quiet, Reticence, Muteness, Taciturnity.

Usage in a sentence — The book contributes to the ongoing discourse on climate change.

DISSEMINATION


Meaning in English — The action or fact of spreading something, especially information, widely.

Meaning in Hindi — प्रसार; फैलाव

Meaning in Assamese — প্ৰসাৰ; বিস্তাৰ

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Disseminate (Verb)

Synonyms — Spreading, Circulation, Distribution, Propagation, Broadcasting.

Antonyms — Collection, Gathering, Suppression, Concealment, Hoarding.

Usage in a sentence — The internet allows for the rapid dissemination of news.

AMELIORATE


Meaning in English — To make something bad or unsatisfactory better.

Meaning in Hindi — सुधारना; बेहतर बनाना

Meaning in Assamese — উন্নত কৰা; ভাল কৰা

This Word is an English grammar: Verb

Forms — Amelioration (Noun)

Synonyms — Improve, Enhance, Better, Upgrade, Alleviate.

Antonyms — Worsen, Exacerbate, Aggravate, Impair, Harm.

Usage in a sentence — The new laws are intended to ameliorate the economic crisis.

CONTENTIOUS


Meaning in English — Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

Meaning in Hindi — विवादास्पद

Meaning in Assamese — বিতর্কিত; বিবাদপূর্ণ

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Contention (Noun)

Synonyms — Controversial, Debatable, Disputable, Disputed, Argumentative.

Antonyms — Uncontroversial, Agreeable, Harmonious, Peaceful, Certain.

Usage in a sentence — The issue of foreign funding for NGOs is a contentious topic.

AUTONOMY


Meaning in English — The right or condition of self-government; freedom from external control.

Meaning in Hindi — स्वायत्तता; स्वतंत्रता

Meaning in Assamese — স্বায়ত্তশাসন; স্বাধীনতা

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Autonomous (Adjective)

Synonyms — Independence, Self-rule, Sovereignty, Freedom, Self-determination.

Antonyms — Dependence, Subjection, Control, Subordination, Heteronomy.

Usage in a sentence — The central bank operates with a high degree of autonomy.

OPAQUE


Meaning in English — Not able to be seen through; not transparent; hard to understand.

Meaning in Hindi — अपारदर्शी; अस्पष्ट

Meaning in Assamese — অস্বচ্ছ; অস্পষ্ট

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Opaqueness (Noun)

Synonyms — Murky, Unclear, Obscure, Nontransparent, Cloudy.

Antonyms — Transparent, Clear, Translucent, Lucid, Comprehensible.

Usage in a sentence — The funding sources of the organization were found to be opaque.

PRAGMATIC


Meaning in English — Dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.

Meaning in Hindi — व्यावहारिक; यथार्थवादी

Meaning in Assamese — বাস্তৱসন্মত; ব্যৱহাৰিক

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Pragmatism (Noun), Pragmatically (Adverb)

Synonyms — Practical, Realistic, Sensible, Down-to-earth, Businesslike.

Antonyms — Impractical, Unrealistic, Idealistic, Theoretical, Visionary.

Usage in a sentence — We need a pragmatic approach to regulation that encourages growth.

PERNICIOUS


Meaning in English — Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

Meaning in Hindi — हानिकारक; विनाशकारी

Meaning in Assamese — ক্ষতিকাৰক; विनाशकारी

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Perniciously (Adverb)

Synonyms — Harmful, Damaging, Destructive, Detrimental, Malicious.

Antonyms — Beneficial, Benign, Harmless, Favorable, Advantageous.

Usage in a sentence — The pernicious influence of a few bad actors can harm the entire sector.

FALLACY


Meaning in English — A mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument.

Meaning in Hindi — भ्रांति; भ्रम

Meaning in Assamese — ভ্ৰান্তি; ভুল ধাৰণা

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Fallacious (Adjective)

Synonyms — Misconception, Delusion, Error, Misbelief, Untruth.

Antonyms — Truth, Fact, Verity, Certainty, Reality.

Usage in a sentence — It is a common fallacy that all NGOs are funded by foreign sources.

NEFARIOUS


Meaning in English — (typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal.

Meaning in Hindi — कुटिल; अधर्मी

Meaning in Assamese — অসৎ; দুष्ट

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Nefariously (Adverb)

Synonyms — Wicked, Evil, Sinful, Iniquitous, Villainous.

Antonyms — Virtuous, Good, Honorable, Righteous, Moral.

Usage in a sentence — The organization was involved in nefarious activities.

STIFLING


Meaning in English — Making one feel constrained or oppressed; suppressing.

Meaning in Hindi — दबाना; दम घोटना

Meaning in Assamese — দমন কৰা; শ্বাসৰুদ্ধ কৰা

This Word is an English grammar: Verb (Present Participle) / Adjective

Forms — Stifle (Verb)

Synonyms — Suppressing, Smothering, Suffocating, Restraining, Curbing.

Antonyms — Fostering, Encouraging, Promoting, Liberating, Unleashing.

Usage in a sentence — The new regulations were criticized for stifling innovation.

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