Why is a general called a general? The word, referring to an officer of the highest rank in an army or church, derives from a 12th-century French root that is far broader, meaning “of wide application, generic, affecting or involving all”. Could these traits also be seen in another type of general – the leader of a country?

Around 15 August every year, a number of audio/film clips made during the early days of our nation-state are shared, particularly the seminal “Not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially” speech by Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of Independence.

Two years ago, yet another speech by our first prime minister made the rounds that led me to the hypothesis stated above. This was the speech Nehru made on the occasion of laying the foundation stone for the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research on January 1, 1954.

Nehru spoke spontaneously, first in Hindustani and then in English, setting out, as he saw it, the purpose of research and the role this institute should play. “Why is science promoted in recent years?” he asked. “Why is so much money spent on it?”

He explained the value of scientific pursuit in two ways, one for problem solving, the second, and more...