A biography for Rohini Nilekanihasn’t been written yet.
“Climate change and air pollution know no borders, and antibiotics resistance respects no boundaries. Bacteria from Africa can make people in America sick. The burning of Indonesian forests can keep Asia gasping for breath.”
“One size doesn't fit all, and I don't have a monopoly over good ideas.”
“No doubt there are dangers involved in letting children go online unsupervised.”
“It was only in 2001 that I set up a foundation, Arghyam. That was pretty much to learn the ropes of how to give, what to do.”
“Having our own children in good schools does not inure us from the ill-effect of others having theirs in poor schools. Having great roads within our gated homes and offices does not help when our fancy cars spill out on to poor public roads.”
“We can be inspired by and renew our ancient culture of sustainable design and living. Why not set standards for producers and importers of all goods and services sold in India?”
“We must incorporate climate modelling in future plans and investments. Whether it is policies on crop procurement, skilling and job creation, urbanisation or even beach tourism, climate adaptation pathways will have to be imagined.”
“We all require equal access to the justice system.”
“I was never the feisty kind of activist.”
“Millions of Indians have moved from just surviving or accepting life as it used to be to imagining a life where they can thrive and rise up to their potential. This rise of individual hope could generate massive amounts of creative energy.”
“At a physical level, India is blessed with a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. We have a predictable monsoon, and a vast network of rivers and water bodies. We have one of the longest coastlines. We have enormous access to solar energy.”
“Societies have debated the severity of punishment for vile acts over millennia, with complex moral arguments on both sides of the question. But citizens and society should pay more attention to the trend of over-criminalisation of common human failings and frailties.”
“People have to clearly see the connection between their family's health and their sanitation habits.”
“We often destroy ecology-based livelihoods in the name of employment creation.”
“Good laws are fair, do not discriminate against any group and are reasonably implementable.”
“We need more imagination, more innovation and more public financing for projects and programmes that harness the positive energy of young men.”
“When a government is in fear of dissent from its own citizens, and when its reaction is to shut out that dissent, we should all worry.”
“I think those who are already in philanthropy and enjoying it and making a difference have a responsibility to share their stories widely, and to be very transparent about their giving.”
“India's waste problem is gigantic, and with its economy growing steadily, it will be compounded manifold.”
“Because of its gradient, it is the site of many spectacular waterfalls, like the Unchalli Falls, near which, on a full moon night in winter, you might even glimpse a moonbow - a rainbow generated from the moonlight. This is the river Aghanashini - 'the cleanser of sins.'”