Covfefe, Rodomontade & All: Top quotes 2017

A ‘country’ can never be a ‘nation’ in the true sense unless there is a sense of belonging entrenched in its citizens. For the 1.25 billion of us, being Indian should be our first Dharma and our Nation the biggest temple
Dr Subhash Chandra, Rajya Sabha MP

“I have had meetings with Shri Nandkishore Goenka and the family has always been open to new ideas. They taken every challenge as an opportunity, to create a presence in a range of initiatives from soil to satellite.”
PM Narendra Modi

To all the well-meaning folks who send me parodies of my supposed speaking/writing style: The purpose of speaking or writing is to communicate w/ precision. I choose my words because they are the best ones for the idea i want to convey, not the most obscure or rodomontade ones!
Shashi Tharoor, Lok Sabha MP

Nowadays, everyone loves their homeland and mother- tongue. I like that aspect of the younger generation. But they are gradually forgetting our tradition and culture. If you need to lead a really happy life, always remember your roots.
Rajinikanth, Actor

“We are not seeking independence... We want to stay with China. We want more development,” said Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, in November during an interactive session organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, hinting at a thawing relation with China.
Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader

The government ignored all our suggestions on GST and introduced it with celebrations at midnight. In their GST, there is the highest 28% tax and three return forms that makes the GST Gabbar Singh Tax.
Rahul Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress

The top of the ladder is a system of harassment and belittling and bullying and interference... This has been part of our world, women’s world, since time immemorial. So what we need to start talking about is the crisis of extreme masculinity
Emma Thompson, screenwriter and actor

In my biopic, if it is ever made, you [actor-producer Karan Johar] will play the stereotypical villain. One who is intolerant of outsiders.. the flag-bearer of nepotism in Bollywood and movie mafia.
Kangana Ranaut, Actor, on Karan Johar’s TV show Koffee with Karan

Rahul Gandhi was out for 72 days on 6 foreign tours in last 2 years but didn’t take SPG cover. We want to know where did he go? We want to know what Rahul Gandhi is trying to hide by not taking SPG along on foreign tours when he is a SPG protectee?
Rajnath Singh, Home Minister

During a dinner and media interaction on the eve of the Women’s World Cup, Mithali responded tersely when asked who her favourite men’s cricketer between India and Pakistan was, she said, “Do you ask the same question to a male cricketer? Do you ask them who their favourite female cricketer is?”
Mithali Raj, Indian cricket team’s captain

Only Ram Mandir will be constructed and nothing else. It will be constructed there only” (at the site that is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram), said the RSS chief on the Ayodhya dispute
Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief

Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me ‘old,’ when I would NEVER call him ‘short and fat?’ Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!”—Twitter, November 11, 2017 after Kim Jong Un called him a ‘dotard’ and “Despite the constant negative press covfefe”
Donald Trump, US President

Taj Mahal a “blot on Indian culture” built by ‘traitors’,” said Sangeet Som, BJP MLA while addressing the supporters in Meerut. The remarks came after the famous mausoleum was excluded from an Uttar Pradesh tourism booklet. To this, UP CM Yogi Adityanath had replied, “It does not matter who built it (Taj Mahal) and for what reason; it was built by blood and sweat of Indian labourers”

Ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, issmein koi sabhyata nahi hai, aur aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai? (This man is extremely dishonourable and uncultured. He specialises in playing dirty politics).
Mani Shankar Aiyar, Congress leader

It is the spirit of humanity that every single one of us would yearn for, if our family was in crisis. I pray that you continue to open your homes and your hearts to the world’s most defenceless children and families,” said Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai when she was made a Honorary Canadian citizen
Malala Yousafzai, activist

“She challenged us as Canadians to think about how we can continue to strive for justice, for equality     for opportunities for girls and women around the world. I look forward to renewing our efforts to have a positive impact in  the world
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Roger Federer admitted he would have  taken a draw in the final of the Australian Open, after his five set victory over Rafael Nadal. ‘Tennis is a tough sport, there are no draws but if     there were I would have been happy to share it with Rafa
Roger Ferderer, Tennis player

After the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, actor Alyssa Milano gave currency to a 2010 movement when she tweeted: If all those who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote ‘Me too’ as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.”
Alyssa Milano, Actor

Do you know what ‘Namaste’ means?” said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to one of the Chinese soldiers during a brief conversation she had with them during her maiden visit to the Nathu La border post in Sikkim.
Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister

Quote Hanger

[The Centre is] interfering in the people’s rights and privacy... I will not link my Aadhaar number with my mobile even if my connection is snapped,” said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on linking Aadhar card to mobile numbers
Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM

A furious Virat Kohli ripped apart Australia’s attitude and that of their captain Steven Smith after the DRS (Decision Review System) controversy.“The thing I said before the first Test [about being friends], I have certainly been proven wrong, and you won’t hear me say that ever again,” Kohli added.
Virat Kohli, cricketer

“Action is the best option in treating the dotard who, hard of hearing, is uttering only what he wants to say.” said Kim Jong Un of US President Donald Trump
Kim Jong-un, supreme leader of North Korea

“Make our planet great again,” said French President Emmanuel Macron through a tweet. Macron simply rephrased US President Donald Trump’s slogan Make America Great Again, after the US pulled out of Paris Climate Change Summit.  
Emmanuel Macron, President of France

“The priest says ‘lift up your hearts’. He does not say, ‘lift up your mobile phones to take pictures” said Pope Francis as he admonished priests and bishops for taking pictures with their mobile phones during a weekly prayer in Vatican City in November
Pope Francis