When it comes to three things, black marketing, counterfeiting and corruption, we are the world champions. If they were included in the Olympic Games, India would always win gold, silver, and bronze in those three.
-- Sunil Shetty ("Day One (Afternoon): The Bunder" paragraph 3)

Importance: The quote illustrates to readers that Kittur and India are incredibly corrupt, possibly even more corrupt than the rest of the world put together.

Fellows like his father belonged to no caste or religion or face; they lived for themselves. They were the only real men in this world"
-- Shankara ("Day Two (Afternoon): St. Alfonso's Boys' High School and Junior College" paragraph 2)

Importance: This quote shows readers that if a man had enough money, he could shake off his caste, religion or face and become whatever he wished. It highlights the issues of religion and the caste system, telling readers that men in India are better without it.

He is of a higher caste than me, but he is poor. What does this thing mean, then, caste? It is...
-- Shankara ("Day Two (Afternoon): St. Alfonso's Boys' High School and Junior College" paragraph 2)