The Great Speeches I Failed to Memorise

I recently created the attached two videos for a friend, where I read aloud President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Mark Antony’s Funeral Oration from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. These speeches have always held a special place in my memory. Back in 2012, I attempted to memorize these popular pieces from my school days, and despite my 7-year-old granddaughter Sudhiksha’s patient help in holding the speech papers and correcting my mistakes, I failed rather miserably. Ironically, Sudhiksha, at that young age, mastered them by heart with ease 🙂

My friend, who attended a speed‑reading course, shared that he could read at nearly 800 words per minute, though with little comprehension, and at 400 words per minute with full understanding. Speed may be useful for reading, but when it comes to delivering a speech, clarity and cadence matter more. The ideal speaking pace is generally 130 to 150 words per minute. For instance, the Gettysburg Address, of 300 words with an introduction, took me 2 minutes and 2 seconds to read. That pace is acceptable, though a touch slower might feel more thoughtful to some, while others could find it dragging.

Hope you will like my narration of these speeches:

Mark Antony’s Oration at Caesar’s Funeral:

President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:

Discovering Sri Kamakshi Amma Ekambareshwara Swamy Temple, Secunderabad.

 

Some discoveries happen in distant places during carefully planned journeys. Others are found surprisingly close to home, quietly waiting to be noticed. Our visit today to Sri Kamakshi Amma Ekambareshwara Swamy Temple in Kalasiguda, Secunderabad, was one such discovery.

Although we have been residents of Secunderabad since birth, it was only yesterday that we came to know about this beautiful temple. Curious to learn more, we visited early this morning and were immediately struck by its serene atmosphere and rich spiritual heritage.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi and Lord Ekambareshwara. It reflects the sacred association found in the ancient Kamakshi Amman Temple and Ekambareswarar Temple of Kanchipuram, one of the most revered Shaiva–Shakta centres of South India. Goddess Kamakshi is worshipped as the Divine Mother, embodying compassion and grace, while Lord Ekambareshwara represents Lord Shiva in his benevolent form. In addition to the main shrines, the temple also houses subsidiary shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Lord Subramanya Swamy, making it a complete spiritual centre for devotees.

We were told that the temple is more than a hundred years old. According to local tradition, it was established by a Tamil Mudaliar family along with members of their community, who sought to preserve their religious and cultural heritage in Secunderabad. Over the decades, the temple has remained an important place of worship, sustaining the devotional practices and traditions of generations.

During our visit, we had the privilege of performing Abhishekam for Lord Shiva and offering Pooja to Goddess Kamakshi. Participating in these sacred rituals brought a deep sense of peace and fulfilment, and we sought the blessings of both the Divine Mother and Lord Shiva for the well-being of our family.

What surprised us most was learning that this temple is well known among many residents of the surrounding localities, yet we ourselves had remained unaware of its existence until now. It made me reflect on how often we overlook the treasures hidden within our own neighbourhoods. We frequently travel great distances in search of history, culture, spirituality, and beauty, while remarkable places often exist just around the corner.

Our visit to Sri Kamakshi Amma Ekambareshwara Swamy Temple was not merely a temple visit; it was a reminder that exploration need not always involve distant destinations. Sometimes, the most meaningful discoveries are those that help us see our own city with fresh eyes.

As I left the temple, one thought lingered in my mind: why does it take us so long to discover the fascinating stories, traditions, and sacred spaces that have quietly enriched our own neighbourhoods for generations?