America
Obama invokes Vivekananda, calls out to 'Sisters and brothers of India'
New Delhi, Jan 27
Recalling the historic
address of Indian savant Swami Vivekananda, US President Barack Obama
Tuesday began his town hall meeting at the Siri Fort Auditorium with the
invocation "Sisters and Brothers of India" and talked about how the
philosopher-sage introduced Hinduism and yoga to America in a city that
was his hometown.
Address a gathering of close to 2,000
comprising young people, students, NGOs and diplomats as he wound up his
three-day India visit, Obama struck a personal chord with the mainly
youthful crowd, saying he was very impressed with the daredevilry of the
motorcycle contingent riding Royal Enfield bikes and wished he could
ride a bike too.
"But the Secret Service does not let me ride motor cycles", and also remarked that he cannot dance as well as his wife Michelle.
In
a speech where he touched on the need for India and the US to work
together on climate change, on how the US can partner India in its
growth story, in defence cooperation and becoming partners in the
security of the Asia-Pacific region, the American president also
stressed on the need for the government to uphold the freedom of
religion written in the constitution of both the countries.
He
recalled Swami Vivekananda and his famous speech in Chicago, exactly 100
years ago, where he brought the house down by addressing the gathering
as "Sisters and brothers of America" and said he was going to address
the audience likewise.
He then began by addressing
"Sisters and brothers of India" to loud applause and then repeated it in
the middle of the speech. He also recalled how Vivekananda - a name he
had a little difficulty in pronouncing - "brought Hinduism and yoga to
the US" and said proudly that the famous address was made "in my
hometown Chicago".
Obama also touched on human rights and the
important role of women in building homes, societies. "We must work for a
society where everybody has a chance, everybody who can work, and that
includes our women," he said.
He mentioned his wife Michelle who
had accompanied him and said :"I am married to a very strong and
talented woman. Michelle is not afraid to speak her mind to me." He
added that he is proud of his two daughters. He also said it is
necessary to ensure women can walk the streets with safety and security.
He
also said he was happy to see so many women commanding contingents in
the Republic Day parade and specially mentioned Wing Commander Puja
Thakur who commanded the guard of honour accorded to him at Rashtrapati
Bhavan Jan 25.
Obama recounted how in his last visit in 2010 he
had visited the Humayun's Tomb and met the families of some labourers
working there. The little son of one of them, Vishal, is today a 16-year
old, he said, and added he was happy to note that Vishal today studies
and dreams of joining the armed forces "an example of the talent that is
here".
The teenager and his family were in the auditorium at the special invitation of the president of the US.
Ahead
of his speech, Obama and his wife met Nobel Peace prize winner Kailash
Satyarthi at the auditorium as well as some of the NGOs. Satyarthi also
received loud applause in the auditorium when he entered with some of
his children from the "Bachpan Bachao Andolan" (Save Childhood
Movement) NGO.
Obama said he is "optimistic of the future" of
the two countries and added that he is "proud" to be India's partner,
"proud to be your friend" and said the US wanted not just to be India's
"natural partner" but its "best partner".
At the end of the
speech, where he was cheered loudly by the audience, Obama and Michelle
held hands and mixed with the enthusiastic crowd who clamoured to shake
hands with them and take pictures on their cell phones.