“The turning point in my life and Reliance’s life was when India embraced economic reforms. Liberalisation freed the suppressed entrepreneurial energies in our country and gave us the hum kissi se kam nahin spirit.” — Mukesh Ambani, chairman, Reliance Industries (India Today, January 4)
“From 2021, let us recommit ourselves to improving Indian education. Not with the narrow goals of literacy, numeracy, subject knowledge, or employability — all of which are necessary. But as a mechanism for guarding and nurturing democracy by enhancing our epistemic capacity as a people.” — Anurag Behar, CEO of Azim Premji Foundation (Mint, January 14)
“This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope of renewal and resolve through a crucible for the ages. America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge. Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy. The people, the will of the people, has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded.” — President Joe Biden in his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 46th president of USA (January 20)
“The Prime Minister must desist from making the repeal of his farm laws a prestige issue because since last week there are signs that the problem India faces is much bigger and infinitely more dangerous than angry farmers.” — Tavleen Singh, columnist, on the ongoing farmers agitation in Delhi NCR (Indian Express, January 31)
“…Such low death rates would be seen as a victory of the government, citizens and science over the dreaded coronavirus. However, because we are India, we don’t get as much credit. We are considered poor, third-world and untrustworthy, incapable of achieving something like this on our own.” — Chetan Bhagat, novelist, on why India has tackled Covid better than most advanced nations (Times of India, January 31)