Which of the following words best fits blank (C)?

In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been denoted by a letter. For each blank, five options are given. Choose the most appropriate word from the options that fits the blank appropriately.

The cow has always held a ______(A) place in Indian society, revered not only for its religious significance but also for its immense contribution to rural livelihoods. Farmers across the country have long been ______(B) on cattle for milk, manure, and draught power, making the cow an inseparable part of agricultural life. The dairy industry, which has grown ______(C) over the decades, now stands as one of the largest in the world, providing employment to millions of households. Government schemes have been launched to ______(D) the welfare of cattle and improve the quality of indigenous breeds through scientific intervention. Despite rapid urbanisation, the bond between rural communities and their cattle remains deeply ______(E), reflecting a way of life that has endured for centuries.

The correct answer is steadily.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Analyze the context of blank (C):
The sentence reads: "The dairy industry, which has grown ______(C) over the decades, now stands as one of the largest in the world, providing employment to millions of households."
The sentence describes the growth of the dairy industry over several decades, leading to its current status as one of the largest in the world.

2. Evaluate the given options:

• steadily: Means in a regular, continuous, or gradual manner. Growth over decades leading to becoming one of the world's largest industries implies consistent and regular progress. Thus, "steadily" fits the context perfectly.

• narrowly: Means by a small margin or strictly. It does not make sense in describing growth over decades.

• carelessly: Means without care or attention, which is inappropriate for describing industry growth.

• abruptly: Means suddenly or unexpectedly. Sustained growth leading to a major global position over "decades" contradicts the concept of abrupt (sudden) growth.

• barely: Means hardly or scarcely, which contradicts the fact that the industry has become "one of the largest in the world".

Therefore, the word that best completes blank (C) is steadily.