Quote, unquote

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw of Biocon is not normally known for intemperate statements. So when she is quoted in the latest edition of the New Yorker magazine as calling Pranab Mukherjee a “jackass” who “needs his head examined,” it can be expected to go viral via Twitter in no time, more so because it was reported by Ariel Levy, one of the magazine’s most respected journalists. But Ms Mazumdar Shaw has been quick to clarify. “I am wrongly quoted, My comment to New Yorker magazine was abt a hospital tax levy which Finance Ministry shd well examine,” she replied to the tweet a day later. And in case no one got the message, she followed it up with: “I was wrongly quoted by NewYorker I have extreme regard for Pranab Da, Apologies for hurting his sentiment by wrongful quote.” Biocon says not only has the company sent a “letter of clarification” to the New Yorker, but a similar note has been dispatched posthaste to North Block.