“The transformation envisioned in NEP 2020 will be driven by improved access, enhanced quality, and continuous innovation. Investments in digital connectivity, safer campuses, and inclusive learning environments will translate into long-term gains in human potential. For students, where and how they learn is becoming as important as what they learn. Smart infrastructure is not just a support system; it is the foundation of India’s future of learning.”

Vivek Kumar Baranwal, chief business officer, Avanse Financial Services in an essay ‘Smart infrastructure: Catalysing India’s education transformation’ (Hindustan Times, December 3)

“Our colonial mindset cannot be wiped out by a culture fix. Decolonisation will happen only when the extraordinary in India begin to live, behave and be governed like the ordinary. We will need to redesign our public systems, which strip ordinary citizens of agency in order to prioritise ‘rulers’ over the ‘ruled’, exactly as our colonisers designed them to be.”

Anjana Menon, author-entrepreneur, in an essay ‘Why Macauly’s India is an everyday reality’ (Times of India, December 4)

“Even a 7th standard civics student ought to know that there are three levels of government, and that there are spheres of governance. Politics responds to the demands of the people. If there was a demand from the people that local governments and local corporations be strengthened, then they will be made strong.”

T.R. Raghunandan, former IAS officer, on ‘Do we need to change how cities are governed in India’ (The Hindu, December 5)

“IndiGo fiasco is the cost of this Govt’s monopoly model. Once again, it’s ordinary Indians who pay the price — in delays, cancellations and helplessness. India deserves fair competition in every sector, not match-fixing monopolies.”

Rahul Gandhi, Opposition leader, on the Indigo flights cancellations (X, December 5)