List of Idioms and Phrases from The HINDU editorial: “Envisioning India as a global skill supplier”

List of Idioms and Phrases from The HINDU editorial: “Envisioning India as a global skill supplier”

The article highlights India's opportunity to become a significant player in the global labour market by addressing skill shortages across various industries. India must rise to the occasion by enhancing the skills of its workforce to meet the demands of international markets. However, bilateral labour agreements are often treated as a one-off exercise instead of being part of a sustainable, long-term strategy.

To effectively bridge the gap in global skill shortages, the article suggests that India needs to set the road map for skill development and migration. A way forward includes creating a comprehensive national policy that operationalises these strategies, ensuring that they translate into action.

Despite progress, India falls short in leveraging the potential of returning migrants, who could add value to the domestic economy by applying the skills acquired abroad. Addressing skill gaps and aligning them with global demands is seen as a critical step in transforming India into a global skill hub.

1.  Rise to the occasion

• Meaning: To successfully deal with a difficult situation or challenge.
• Example: "Can India rise to the occasion and bridge the global skills gap by providing a skilled workforce?"

2.  Bridge the gap

• Meaning: To reduce or eliminate the difference between two things.
• Example: "India aims to bridge the gap in global skills shortages by focusing on international labour mobility."

3.  One-off exercise

• Meaning: A task or activity that is done once and not repeated regularly.
• Example: "Bilateral labour agreements with other countries are often treated as one-off exercises rather than part of a comprehensive strategy."

4.  Way forward

• Meaning: The best plan or action to move ahead in a situation.
• Example: "The way forward is to create a comprehensive national policy on international labour migration."

5.  Operationalise

• Meaning: To put into action or make functional.
• Example: "India must design and operationalise a national strategy for skill-based migration."

6.  Falling short

• Meaning: Failing to meet a standard or expectation.
• Example: "India falls short in optimising the skills of returning migrants, limiting the benefits of international experience."

7.  Skill gaps

• Meaning: The difference between the skills required for a job and the skills possessed by employees.
• Example: "India needs to identify skill gaps in major destination countries to train its workforce accordingly."

8.  Set the road map

• Meaning: To outline a detailed plan for achieving a goal.
• Example: "A skill-centred migration policy should clearly set the road map for transitioning India into a global skill capital."

9.  Critical step

• Meaning: An essential or vital action needed for progress.
• Example: "Identifying the skills in demand in destination countries is a critical step for international job placement."

10.  Add value

• Meaning: To enhance or improve the worth of something.
• Example: "Return migrants can add value to India’s economy by contributing the skills learned abroad."