'When the Indian Army carries out anti-infiltration ops, the Pakistan army willy-nilly will get involved in some way. So, it is imperative for the Pakistan army to act against militant groups.'

'The Chinese can't be trusted hence the need to verify and re-verify.'

'The last ten months show that India is not going to trust China.' 'Our military commanders are not going to believe that all is well till it actually is.'

'We must be careful because China has not given its design in Eastern Ladakh.'

Having lost her job as a stage dancer for film award shows in the pandemic, Smita Soni learnt how to make organic bath and body products. Archana Masih/Rediff.com met her as she sold her handmade items from the boot of her car with baby on her hip.

Indian Army officers, serving and retired, will tell you that the one thing that makes the Indian soldier singularly unique is his josh and jazba.

'We need an early warning system in India.'

'She's not going to keel over.' 'This is the kind of difficult situation that she thrives in.'

'I was no one. I am here today because I am a proud soldier of the Indian Army,' says Captain Mohammed Quamrul Zaman.

'She has never advocated people taking to the streets and calling for a revolution.' 'I don't know if that will change now.'

'Neither will China -- at least for now -- because its troops are deployed in equal strength.' 'We are negotiating at equal terms right now and it's a game of patience.'

'India's challenge is status quo ante. China's challenge is a face-saving exit'

'An officer had to command the regiment for the Republic Day parade -- and that officer happened to me.' 'It should not be viewed on the basis of gender,' says Captain Preeti Choudhary, the only woman officer to from the Indian Army to be part of a contingent at the Republic Day Parade 2021.

'I want to send a positive message to people that they should not fear the Covid vaccine.'

'Mr Vajapyee felt that you could pray to any god or not pray at all, but the country comes first.'

'When economic policies were attacked by people on his own side, he went ahead despite all the criticisms in the coalition, within the party and the Sangh Parivar.'

'A mother, a farmer and cattle owner, all have valuable knowledge, but academia has failed to acknowledge their wisdom.'

'Chinese troops are not geared to fight Indian troops who are battle hardened and acclimatised and are far more hardy.'

'They know that India is no pushover.' 'We have to be extremely vigilant, remain ready and keep strengthening our positions.' 'We have to be militarily strong, whatever be the cost.'

'Astad had the courage to plough a lonely furrow. He made a life of his own, on his own, and created a path-breaking dance style.' 'Only a few in the performing arts could do what he did.' 'A classical dancer can fall back on tradition, but Astad created something absolutely new.'