“Welfare helps alleviate poverty. But growth can end it.”

Michael Schuman, American author and journalist, on bridging the wealth gap (Time, May 19)

“On 16th May 2014 the people of India gave their verdict. They delivered a mandate for development, good governance and stability. Together we will script a glorious future for India. Let us together dream of a strong, developed and inclusive India that actively engages with the global community to strengthen the cause of world peace and development.”

Prime minister Narendra Modi, in his first message to the people of India posted on his official website (May 26)

“Being MoS (minister of state) is like standing in a cemetery — there’s a lot of people under you but no one is listening.”

Shashi Tharoor, former MoS, on advice for new ministers (Times of India, May 28)

“In the style of Bob Dylan, let’s ask the question for which the answers are “blowin’ in the wind”… How many crores must Air India lose before a minister takes his head out of the sand?”

T.N. Ninan, well-known journalist, in ‘A song for our times’ (Business Standard, May 31)

“Directing a rocket science programme doesn’t necessarily involve expertise in rocket science. Indeed past experience suggests that the most academically qualified HRD ministers also turned out to be the least beneficial for Indian education.”

Swapan Dasgupta, columnist, on criticism that the newly appointed Union HRD minister Smriti Irani doesn’t have a university degree (Deccan Chronicle, May 30)

“A belief in democracy requires two things: an acceptance of the upshot of an election, and a refusal to blame the electorate if the upshot fills one with dread.”

Akeel Bilgrami, professor at Columbia University, on the recent India General Election 2014 (The Hindu, May 31)