“When 9/11 happened, it changed things overnight, giving the biggest shock treatment to individual agency. People in the U.S., the absolute stronghold of individualism and libertarianism, had to give up many cherished freedoms and privacies in exchange for the promise of public safety.”

Indian writer, author and philanthropist

Rohini Nilekani is an Indian writer, author, and philanthropist. She is known for her work in public-spirited philanthropy and for helping shape initiatives in water, sanitation, and education. She founded the Arghyam Foundation in 2001, a non-profit focused on water and sanitation, and chairs the Akshara Foundation, which works on elementary education. She is also co-founder and director of EkStep, a non-profit education platform, and chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.