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Sunday, October 12, 2025
HomeOpinionGreat Speeches

Great Speeches

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.

I did nothing wrong. Upper castes see Dalits as insects, I showed them I’m human: Phoolan Devi

At the 2001 Aalmi Mushaira in Dubai, Phoolan Devi spoke of survival, injustice, and defiance—rejecting the 'dacoit' label and demanding dignity for the oppressed.

US press doubted our unity, democracy, and ability to survive. Here I am again: Indira Gandhi

On 5 November 1971, at the National Press Club, PM Indira Gandhi spoke about India's resilience, political change, and the burden of the Bangladesh refugee crisis.

Our blood boils when we sense danger to Tamil. Love for mother tongue is Godliness: CN Annadurai

On 15 April 1967, CN Annadurai spoke at the Bureau of Tamil Publications ceremony in Madras, defending Tamil's legacy and opposing Hindi imposition in India.

Ayurveda is a perfect science: Morarji Desai

On 25 June 1977, Prime Minister Morarji Desai addressed a conference in New Delhi where he urged Ayurveda practitioners to adopt a missionary spirit.

Universities should develop personality, otherwise learning is worthless: C Rajagopalachari

On 8 August 1949, India’s last Governor-General C Rajagopalachari spoke about the state of higher education in India and its shortcomings at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

On Camera

India must fight terror but avoid being seen as acting at America’s behest: G Parthasarathy

On 19 June 2004, G Parthasarathy, India's former Ambassador to several countries, spoke at the Nani Palkhivala Memorial Lecture, examining India’s foreign policy challenges in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Niti Aayog recommends fully decriminalising 12 offences under new I-T Act to ‘foster more trust’

Recommendations appear in Niti Aayog’s Tax Policy Working Paper Series–II. It says there is a need to shift away from fear-based enforcement to trust-based governance.

India, UK sign £350 mn deal for Martlet. What are these Lightweight Multirole Missiles

In service with the British military since 2019, it is also known as the Martlet missile. Ukrainians have also deployed these missiles against Russian troops.

CJI, IPS, IAS & Homebound: A wake-up call 75 years in the making

Education, reservations, govt jobs are meant to bring equality and dignity. That we are a long way from that is evident in the shoe thrown at the CJI and the suicide of Haryana IPS officer. The film Homebound has a lesson too.