“It’s a democratic right of the farmers to protest and come and be heard in the national capital. I don’t think the border with China is fortified the way this city is fortified. The government should have learnt a lesson from the previous farmers’ agitation — consult the stakeholders. Last time it took a year-long agitation before the government surrendered and withdrew.”
Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP, on protesting farmers being stopped from enetring the national capital (Mint, February 14)
“In the next 25 years, India will be unstoppable. From education to economy, all the positivity will emerge from India…while creating wealth, we should focus on responsible business and public welfare as well.”
Dharmendra Pradhan, education minister, speaking at the 68th Foundation Day of the All India Management Association (Deccan Herald, February 21)
“For decades Indian politics has unravelled the country’s moral fabric. Politicians and officials, advancing their own interests rather than the public good, have become the antithesis of les grands commis de l’État — dedicated public servants esteemed in French civic culture. An alarming number of Indian legislators have criminal links. The embedding of Hindutva—the century-old ideology of Hindu-centric Indian nationalism—in political life under Mr Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has promoted intolerance and violence.”
Ashoka Mody, visiting professor, public and international affairs, Princeton University, in an essay ‘Why India is stunted by a lack of moral leadership’ (The Economist, February 28)
“In the Ambani case, there is the spectacle of the world showing up: From the Emir of Qatar to Rihanna. This is, in a vicarious way, the world paying obeisance to India. So what if India is not rich. At least it has the world’s richest.”
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, public intellectual, on the grand pre-wedding festivities staged by the Ambani family for their son in Jamnagar (Indian Express, March 5)
