Vocabulary words from The Hindu editorial " Take the gauntlet: The Hindu Editorial on safety and the Indian Railways"

Vocabulary words from The Hindu editorial " Take the gauntlet: The Hindu Editorial on safety and the Indian Railways"

1.  Gauntlet

• Meaning: A challenge or ordeal.
• Example: "The Indian Railways must take the gauntlet and address the long-standing issues in safety and infrastructure."

2.  Precarious

• Meaning: Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.
• Example: "The precarious condition of railway infrastructure has been highlighted by recent accidents."

3.  Silver bullet

• Meaning: A simple and seemingly magical solution to a complex problem.
• Example: "While 'Kavach' is a step forward, it is not a silver bullet for all of Indian Railways' safety issues."

4.  Spate

• Meaning: A large number of similar events happening in quick succession.
• Example: "The spate of railway accidents in recent months has drawn attention to the need for better safety measures."

5.  Overhauling

• Meaning: To take apart and repair or improve something thoroughly.
• Example: "Overhauling the existing signalling systems should be a priority to prevent further accidents."

6.  Deplorable

• Meaning: Deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad in quality.
• Example: "The deplorable working conditions of locomotive pilots, including 12-hour shifts, must be addressed."

7.  Capex

• Meaning: Short for capital expenditure, referring to funds used by an organization to acquire or maintain physical assets.
• Example: "The implementation of 'Kavach' would require just 2% of the Railways' annual capex."

8.  Vigilance

• Meaning: The action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
• Example: "Rail safety will require constant vigilance, even with advanced technology like 'Kavach'."

9.  Revenue growth

• Meaning: An increase in the amount of money a company or organization earns.
• Example: "The Railways’ revenue growth has slowed while its dependence on budgetary allocation has increased."

10.  Sluggish

• Meaning: Slow to respond or perform.
• Example: "The sluggish deployment of the 'Kavach' safety system has raised concerns about the Railways' commitment to safety."

11.  Consonance

• Meaning: Agreement or compatibility between opinions or actions.
• Example: "Improvements in safety must be made in consonance with addressing the financial and operational stressors of the Railways."

12.  Due diligence

• Meaning: The careful investigation and evaluation of potential risks or problems.
• Example: "The involvement of counter-terrorism investigators is part of the government’s due diligence after the accidents."