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Saturday, February 21, 2026
TopicGreat Speeches

Topic: Great Speeches

How Nehru defended restrictions on freedom of speech and the press

On 29 May 1951, Jawaharlal Nehru defended adding 'reasonable restrictions' to Article 19, arguing that free speech must be balanced with national security and unity.

Reconciling religion and science is the only way to find peace and happiness: Zakir Husain

On 7 December 1968, Dr Zakir Husain delivered an address at the tri-decennial celebrations of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Bombay, explaining why it’s important to pursue science and religion together.

Rising numbers of unemployed graduates will destabilise social structure: Kalam at UGC event

On 28 December 2003, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam delivered an address to mark the 50th anniversary of the UGC in New Delhi, outlining the role of the education sector and universities in national development.

What Indira Gandhi said in her first speech as PM, 60 years ago

On 26 January 1966, Indira Gandhi delivered a speech that was broadcast over All India Radio. This was her first address to the nation after becoming India’s first woman prime minister.

Islam has significantly contributed to Indian culture. It’s not foreign to us: Vajpayee in Iran

In April 2001, Atal Bihari Vajpayee delivered an address to the Majlis of the Islamic Republic of Iran, highlighting commonalities between India and Iran, while calling for stronger ties.

Loyalty to the country is above all other loyalties: Lal Bahadur Shastri at AMU

On 19 December 1964, Lal Bahadur Shastri delivered an address at the convocation of the Aligarh Muslim University, outlining the role education plays in shaping citizens in a democracy.

If there are many intellectuals in society, we should be nervous: PG Mavalankar

On 30 October 1979, political scientist PG Mavalankar delivered an address at the 14th AD Shroff Memorial Lecture in Bombay, outlining the roles and responsibilities of intellectuals in society.

Mahabharata shaped my personality: EMS Namboodiripad

On 25 November 1995, EMS Namboodiripad delivered a speech in New Delhi as part of a talk on 'Books and Man.' He spoke about how he changed from a Gandhian to a Nehruvian to a communist.

Though India pursued a different path, we admired Lenin, were influenced by his example: Nehru

On 22 June 1955, Jawaharlal Nehru addressed an audience in Moscow during his first visit to the Soviet Union as India’s PM.

A man should leave politics after 55 years: BR Ambedkar

On 27 October 1951, Dr BR Ambedkar addressed voters in Jalandhar during his campaign for the first Lok Sabha election, speaking about political power, safeguards, and the future of the SCs in independent India.

On Camera

Why legal provisions are necessary to curb the power of trade unions: MH Mody

The collusion between the new class of bureaucrats, politicians, businessmen and trade union bosses perpetuates itself partly because of the short-run benefits and partly because they see no way out of the system, wrote author MH Mody in 1980.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

Embraer moves full throttle in pursuit of IAF contract, ties up with Hindalco after Adani

IAF is firming up plans to revamp airlift capabilities with medium transport aircraft that will be assembled in India & serve as its main workhorse. Embraer is leading contender as of now.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.