scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Friday, December 12, 2025
HomeOpinionGreat Speeches

Great Speeches

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.

India will never remain united if we try for uniformity: IK Gujral

On 1 September 1997, Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral delivered a speech in the Lok Sabha on the state of democracy, democratic institutions, and the economic situation in India as the country marked 50 years of independence.

No room for pessimism—What Shanmukham Chetty said in free India’s first budget speech

On 26 November 1947, RK Shanmukham Chetty presented the first budget of independent India, calling for help and co-operation in maintaining peace, increasing production, and avoiding internecine quarrels.

On Camera

IndiGo cancellations made TV news do the unexpected — question the Modi government

Republic TV was the harshest of them all: “The (civil aviation) minister has done a bad job,” said prime time anchor Arnab Goswami.

IndiGo’s profits dipped, most airlines sunk into losses last fiscal even as flier numbers soared

Despite growing passenger volume, 11 out of 14 carriers reported losses in 2023-24. IndiGo recorded profit of Rs 8,167 crore, which reduced to Rs 7.253 crore in 2024-25.

US clears $686-mn package to breathe fresh life into Pakistani F-16s

Of the total package, $649 million will be utilised for additional hardware, software, and support services, and the remaining for Major Defence Equipment (MDE).

Asim Munir & Pakistan’s Failed Marshal Doctrine

None of Pakistan’s PMs has lasted 5 years. That the current PM has given Asim Munir 5 years shows that of all military dictatorships history has seen, Pakistan’s is most creative.