“Skill is the currency of the century. Economic actors have a more important role than imagined. An educated and skilled workforce attracts investment, enhances productivity and is critical for moving up in the value chain. Academia and industry must collaborate for better outcomes.” Vikas Singh, economist & columnist on reforming Indian higher education (Businessworld, September 24) “Education is the most potent mean for social transformation and universities will have to play the role of change agents… It should be the aim of every Indian educational institution to become a world-class centre of learning.” President Droupadi Murmu speaking at the inauguration of St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru (September 28) “As per government data, from 2015 to 2021, more than 900,000 out of India’s total population of 1.3 billion have surrendered their passports. Although it is a small percentage, the worrying factor is that the number is rising year-on-year.” Vidya S, special correspondent, on the rising number of Indian HNIs migrating abroad (Business Today, October 2) “More than anything else, the Congress needs to tell and sell a story to Indian voters. Mr. Tharoor does that well… he knows enough about the Congress but is not caught in its intrigues; and he knows better than most others how to represent the Congress before the expanding Indian middle class. He’s what the Congress needs but, alas, won’t get.” Varghese K. George, journalist, on the impending contest between Shashi Tharoor and M. Kharge for the post of Congress party president (The Hindu, October 2) “But perhaps the Left’s fortunes are changing. Certainly, it’s holding its ground. With young blood coursing through its veins, another red eruption may well be brewing.” Romita Datta, journalist, on the resurgence of the Left parties in West Bengal (India Today, October 3)
