“There is no better economic policy than one that produces more graduates… Thats why reforming education is the responsibility of every American, every parent, every teacher, every business leader, every public official, and every student.” US President Barack Obama addressing students at the TechBoston Academy, Boston (March 8) “Vice chancellors are appointed at the instance of the political establishment. This must end. If we really want our system to thrive, then the academic world should be left free to its own devices in the hope that you create a future for the country.” Kapil Sibal, Union HRD minister, addressing vice chancellors at a conference in Delhi (March 25) “If Indias population is not trained to face the globalised world — and primary education is the first step in that training — we will become a nation of servants and clerks. Given our highly educated, ex-educationist prime minister is of late more interested in covering up scams than education, it doesnt seem likely that our top leadership cares.” Author Chetan Bhagat commenting on the decline in primary school enrolment (Times of India, March 26) “The Reds believed that with political control they could also regulate peoples aspirations and freeze Bengalis in a state of permanent mediocrity.” Well-known journalist Swapan Dasgupta on 34 years of communist rule in West Bengal (Sunday Times of India, March 27) “Education will be the key ladder on which Indians will move up in life. A great deal needs to be done to expand our capacity, multiplying the number of schools and colleges to accommodate our growing young population. The cut-throat competition we already see in our metros to find spots at good kindergarten schools is one symptom of this profound change.” Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and banker Keerthik Sasidharan (The Times of India, March 29) “These Western writers have a morbid fascination for Gandhijis sexuality.” Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhis grandson and author, on Joseph Lelyelds book Great Soul where he has commented on the Mahatmas sexual preferences
