Snippets of PMs` speeches : Dr Manmohan Singh (2004-14)

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-64)

1947

Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru delivered his famous Tryst With Destiny address at the Constituent Assembly at around midnight on August 15, 1947. In another message to the people of the country from Nehru that appeared in newspapers all across the country on the morning of August 15, 1947 was:

“The Appointed Day has come — the day appointed by destiny, and India stands forth after long slumber and struggle — awake, vital, free and independent.”

(Notably, Pt Nehru unfurled the national flag for the first time on the Red Fort on August 16, 1947 not on August 15, 1947)

Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964-66)

1965

"It does not matter if we are destroyed. We will fight to the last to maintain the high honour of the Indian nation and its flag."

Indira Gandhi (1966-77)

1966

“There are certain historic events which leave a deep impress on the life of every individual. Our Independence is one such event. Independence Day has special significance for us because on this day we began a new life.”

Indira Gandhi (1980-84)

1981

“This is the day when we remember those years when people of all religions, all castes, all languages, all states, rich and poor, women and men, old and young – were all one and united. What was our slogan – `we may lose our head but India must become free`.”

Rajiv Gandhi (1984-89)

1985

“We must see that regional imbalances in the growth of various parts of the country are removed and all the states progress evenly. We shall ensure that all citizens of the country get full opportunity to contribute their might towards India`s progress.”

1989

“Very few people are willing to talk about principles. We must remember that when anti-national, secessionist and communal forces joined hands in an unprincipled manner, India was divided. We must remember how this happened. Today, all our energies must be geared up to defeat the designs of communal, divisive, anti-national, feudal and conservative forces because if they join together, it would mean the division of India. The people of India must remember that if they allow these forces to unite and grow strong, India will disintegrate, her freedom will be lost and India would again become a slave.”

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998-2004)

1999

“As we stand at the sunset of the 20th century, and look back at the events of the era that has passed, we see the end of colonialism from Indian soil to be the most important development. Our great leaders, and many generations of our countrymen, waged a powerful struggle for independence. By doing so, they paved the way for the independence of other countries, too.”

On Kargil victory

“I offer my condolences to the valiant jawans, officers and others belonging to the Army and the Air Force, who displayed magnificent heroism and the spirit of sacrifice in recapturing that part of our Motherland in Kargil from the enemy. All of us bow our heads in gratitude for those who were martyred in the Kargil war.”

2002

“Our tributes also to the martyrs who foiled the terrorist attack on our Parliament on December 13. Terrorism has become a festering wound. It is an enemy of humanity. Our neighbour claims to oppose terrorism at the international level, but adopts double standards in the context of our region. After facing defeat in wars, it has resorted to cross-border terrorism for grabbing Kashmir. We wish to state once again that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. It will remain so.”

Dr Manmohan Singh (2004-14)

2007

“We must have faith in our strength and confidence in our capabilities. Each of us have our individual identities. However, every citizen must recognise that we are Indians first and last. We fritter away our time on petty issues and pointless personal differences. I urge all political parties, all political and social leaders to resist the temptation to divide people along narrow, sectarian lines. Our strength is in our unity, despite our diversity. It is that unity which gave us our Independence. It is that unity that gives us our strength as a nation.

This was the dream of our founding fathers. This was the vision of our Constitution. We should not move away from this vision, and must face the future with courage. However, as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said from these ramparts nearly sixty years ago, “laws and constitutions do not by themselves make a country great. It is the enthusiasm, energy and constant effort of a people that make it a great nation.” Let us all come together and work resolutely for the welfare of our people and for the development of our nation.”

Dr Manmohan Singh (2004-14)

2011

“It is not an ordinary achievement for our democracy with a population of 120 crore and so many religions, languages and cultures to march rapidly ahead on the path of development. I congratulate the people of India on this achievement. But we must ensure that inequalities do not increase even as we develop rapidly.”

2013

“I believe that the last decade has also been a decade of major changes in the history of our nation. In no other decade has our economic development increased as much as in this decade. Democratic forces have been strengthened and many sections of our society have joined the mainstream of development for the first time. The common man has been given new rights which have led to his social and economic empowerment.”