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Great Speeches

People of Assam, we’ll fight to the end until it’s victory for us: Nehru during Chinese invasion

On 19 November 1962, PM Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the people of Assam in a radio address and spoke of the resolve against Chinese attack, saying India won't tolerate this invasion.

Congress must show statesmanship, make concessions to the prejudices of Muslim League: Ambedkar

On 17 December 1946, BR Ambedkar addressed the Muslim League's absence from the Constituent Assembly, urging the Congress to show statesmanship and avoid Hindu-Muslim conflict through conciliation.

Limits on nuclear programme today will tie our hands in future: Vajpayee on India-US deal

On 3 August 2005, Atal Bihari Vajpayee spoke in Lok Sabha and warned that the India-US nuclear deal could compromise India's strategic autonomy in the long run.

There’s poison of regionalism, linguism in Maharashtra. Condemn & remove it: YB Chavan

On 12 June 1967, Maharashtra’s first CM and then-Union home minister YB Chavan spoke in the Lok Sabha, stressing on eradicating language-based discrimination in the state.

It’s curious even scientists discard spirit of science in daily life, become unscientific: Nehru

On 22 April 1950, PM Nehru spoke at the opening of the Fuel Research Institute in Dhanbad, urging India to see science as a force against conservatism and a tool to think and act freely.

Moksha, not motor cars—BR Shenoy’s idea of a truly Indian welfare state

In a 1957 lecture, free-market economist BR Shenoy warned that India's welfare state must stay rooted in Dharma, not drift toward consumerist excess.

Not missiles or sovereignty, but social unity is the true force behind foreign policy: PN Haksar

In 1974, PN Haksar delivered the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture on the evolution of India's foreign policy. Here's an excerpt from his speech.

Tamil people do not bow in shame, nor lower their head in defeat: M Karunanidhi on Tamil pride

On 15 September 1986, the DMK stalwart delivered a stirring address in Chennai, weaving poetry with politics, defending Tamil cultural heritage while reflecting on electoral defeats with unwavering pride.

Why public intellectuals don’t confront authority today: Romila Thapar

On 26 October 2014, professor Romila Thapar delivered the Third Nikhil Chakravartty Memorial lecture, reflecting on the eroding space for public intellectuals in India.

No place for armed liberation struggle in a democracy: P Chidambaram on Left-wing extremism

On 14 September 2009, then-home minister P Chidambaram spoke to senior police chiefs in New Delhi, outlining internal security threats such as Naxalism and insurgencies.

On Camera

Skin cancer is no more an ‘old person’s disease’

The sun isn’t acting alone—it has an accomplice in pollution. Environmental toxins weaken our skin’s natural barrier.

Market regulator SEBI clears Adani Group of impropriety alleged by Hindenburg Research

SEBI probe concluded that purported loans and fund transfers were paid back in full and did not amount to deceptive market practices or unreported related party transactions.

60 yrs on, veterans recall lessons from 1965 India-Pakistan war. ‘Equipment alone doesn’t win battles’

A common thread runs through the memories of soldiers of the 1965 war—ingenuity, courage and camaraderie that withstood an apparently technologically superior foe.

India doesn’t give walkovers to Pakistan in war. Here’s why it shouldn’t do it in cricket either

Many really smart people now share the position that playing cricket with Pakistan is politically, strategically and morally wrong. It is just a poor appreciation of competitive sport.