The BJP is a well-organised electoral juggernaut, it is ruthless in using state power to intimidate opponents… But a formidable opponent and repression often galvanize an Opposition, not make them comatose. But the Opposition is not held back by the power of the BJP. Its besetting sin is its own excruciating littleness. -Pratap Bhanu Mehta, public intellectual, on raids by the Enforcement Directorate on opposition party leaders (Indian Express, July 23) Be it technical education, medical education or law education, when we do not teach all these in Indian languages, then we limit the capabilities and potential of our country. But when teaching all this in Indian languages, we will be able to utilise the 100% potential of the country. -Union home minister Amit Shah on second anniversary of the National Education Policy 2020 (Hindustan Times, July 30) Too many kids fight for too few seats in hallowed academic institutions. They are forced to sacrifice everything that gives them some pleasure and fun in life to mug up answers to questions that they would most probably never encounter in their life after the examinations. -Anand Neelakantan, author of Bahubali trilogy, on the rising incidence of suicide among students (The New Indian Express, July 31) Indian industry has to become more competitive and productive. In 2021 the estimated output per worker was worth only $6,413 as compared to China’s $16,697. -Aroon Purie, editor-in-chief, on the sinking rupee and its fallout (India Today, August 1) India is open to capital for education from everywhere. We must ensure that market forces don’t overpower institutions and there is no commercialisation. Anyone is welcome to our system with one expectation — it should not be exploited. -Dharmendra Pradhan, Union education minister (The Economic Times, August 3)
