"Here’s the sad truth: mainstream Muslims have zero influence over extremists. In fact, if one of those guys had a single bullet in his gun and you and I were up against the wall, he would shoot me first. He hates me more because not only do I not follow his perverse version of Islam, I also represent an alternative interpretation."
Eboo Patel, well-known Muslim intellectual and member of President Barack Obama’s Faith Advisory Council (USA Today, January 4)

"It’s his right as a Zulu. But he only took one wife to Italy to meet the Pope."
Jemmy Gordin, biographer of South Africa’s polygamist President Jacob Zuma, who married for the fifth time on January 4 (Time, January 18)

The concept of deemed universities from the country will go in the near future and this is part of the reform process. We are putting in place the required legislations.
Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal on the controversy surrounding derecognised deemed universities (January 19)

"Rahul Gandhi is part of a new generation of political leaders focused on making sure these (health) investments are well spent. Rahul was very frank in saying that right now a lot of the money is not getting to the intended recipients and that it won’t be easy to fix. His openness was refreshing, since many politicians won’t say anything that might discourage a donor from giving more."
Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Times of India, January 26)

"To encourage... businesses to stay within our borders, it is time to finally slash the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas."
US President Barack Obama in his State of Union address to Congress (January 28)

"Education is the second largest spend for the Indian family after food and groceries, compared to 7th largest spend in the US below DVDs and music."
K. Ganesh, founder of TutorVista (Business Standard, January 30)