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Great Speeches

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.

If Pakistan doesn’t halt aggression, India may be compelled to enter Pakistan: VK Menon at UN

On 23-24 January 1957, VK Krishna Menon delivered a historic speech at UN Security Council defending India’s position on Kashmir.

Pakistan knows cost of hostility. Our govt won’t tolerate incursion: Vajpayee during Kargil War

In May 1999, Pakistani troops crossed the Line of Control in Kargil, occupying strategic heights. On 7 June 1999, then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addressed the nation, condemning Pakistan’s invasion and rallying India to defend its borders.

‘Count OBCs or face our anger’: Gopinath Munde’s caste census demand in 2010 Lok Sabha

On 6 May 2010, BJP leader Gopinath Munde warned that not counting OBCs in the caste census would mean denying social justice to more than half the country for another decade.

India produced scholars, scientists. Pakistan, what did you produce? Terrorists: Sushma Swaraj

On 23 September 2017, then-Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj delivered a powerful rebuke to Pakistan during her address at the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Away with Brahmin school-masters, we need schools for Shudras: Jyotirao Phule

In his powerful deposition before the Hunter Commission in 1881, Jyotirao Phule urged the British government to open its eyes to a 'pernicious system of high-class education.'

Delimitation is secondary. First, avoid tyranny of majority & don’t waste votes: K Rama Rao

On 22 December 1952, during a debate on the Delimitation Commission Bill in Rajya Sabha, legislator and freedom fighter K Rama Rao criticised India's electoral representation structure and called for deeper reforms.

Nothing like deviation in democracy. Even Lenin & Stalin adapted: Lal Bahadur Shastri

On 18 September 1964, during a no-confidence motion against his government, India’s former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri strongly reaffirmed the principles of democracy.

Purely secular education won’t work for India. It has an over-religiosity problem: Maulana Azad

On 13 January 1948, in his presidential speech at the 14th session of the Central Advisory Board of Education, Maulana Azad argued that India could not follow the West in keeping religion out of education.

Can we implement a new vision for international collaboration in space: APJ Abdul Kalam

On 24 May 2013, former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam delivered his Wernher Von Braun Memorial Award acceptance speech at the 32nd International Space Development Conference in California.

On Camera

India talked big on Russia-Ukraine mediation. Alaska meet offers a window

Europe and Ukraine’s agencies are crucial. Steering the Alaska talks bilaterally between the US and Russia will foil the outcomes before they even start taking effect.

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.

President awards 1st set of Sarvottam Yudh Seva medals since Kargil, 7 honoured for leading Op Sindoor

This year, the Indian Air Force received four of the seven awards, followed by the Indian Army with two medals, and the Indian Navy with one. 

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.