“We need to believe in the impossible and remove the improbable... As we look forward, we must zero in what Microsoft can uniquely contribute to the world.”
Satya Nadella, the India-educated new CEO of Microsoft, in his first letter to employees (February 4)
“It’s time to do away with workplace policies that belong in a Mad Men episode... When women succeed, America succeeds.”
Barack Obama, US President in his State of the Union address, dismissing policies and stereotypes that prevent women and men from getting the same opportunities — and salaries — in the workplace (Time, February 10)
“It is no longer possible to simply ban books in the age of the internet. For that, and for all the people who have expressed outrage over this, I am deeply grateful.”
Wendy Doniger, US-based author of The Hindus: An Alternative History which was banned in India for insulting Hindu gods (India Today, February 24)
“Big statements are made about India being a superpower. What superpower? If Kakoli a college student is feeling scared to go in a bus. How can we call ourselves a superpower if a young girl of this country is scared to go in a bus?”
Rahul Gandhi, Congress party vice-president, speaking to college students in Guwahati (February 27)
“The damage individual ministers can do is truly spectacular. Think of the decimation of the finance ministry under Pranab Mukherjee. It will take years to undo the damage... Human resource development has also been awaiting a great minister for a long time...”
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, president Centre for Policy Research, on why India’s ministers fail to impress and deliver (National Standard, February 28)
“I am not absconding. I am in Lucknow... People advised me to get admitted in hospital to avoid courts on medical grounds. I hate to do such drama.”
Subroto Roy, Sahara India’s managing worker, before surrendering to police (February 28)