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Saturday, July 19, 2025
TopicGreat Speeches

Topic: Great Speeches

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.

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.'

On Camera

Critical minerals are the new oil. India can’t afford to depend on China

Mineral security is no longer just an economic concern but a national security imperative, underpinning the country’s ambitions in clean energy, defence self-reliance, and advanced manufacturing.

India-US set to ink mini trade deal soon, reach understanding on agricultural & dairy products

Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.

Not just AK-203, India & Russia to jointly manufacture AK-19 and PPK-20 for domestic use and export 

India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.

RSS chief Bhagwat draws the line at 75. India’s politics stares at the Modi Exception

BJP has no dynastic succession, at least not at the top. You can trace this back to Vajpayee-Advani era. This act of spotting, empowering younger talent is even more striking with the choice of BJP presidents.