It is rare to see an Indian Prime Minister taking a center stage in the US and addressing sixty-thousand plus energetic crowds and receiving overwhelming loud cheer for his speech!
Yes, it is a new reality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke at the Global Citizen Festival at Central Park in New York focusing on healthcare, clean water and sanitation for all.
Modi started his speech in English to the crowds with greetings by saying, “How are you doing New York? I hope you are having a good time. Namaste. I am truly delighted to be here in the open Central Park among the youth, and not inside a closed conference room, because you are the future. What you do today, will decide our tomorrow.”
“Among you, I feel confident about the future of human beings. Some believe that the world changes with the wisdom of the old. The world changes with the idealism, innovation, energy, and the ‘can do’ attitude of the youth is even more powerful. That is my hope for India too,” PM said.
The event was attended by celebrities and world leaders like United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-Moon, singer Jay Z, singer Carrie Underwood and Hugh Jackman.
Modi finished his speech with a Sanskrit shloka praying for peace and prosperity.
“sarve bhavantu sukhina, sarve santu niramaya. Sarve bhadrani pashayantu, ma kashchit dukh bhaagbhavet. Om shanti, shanti, shanty.”
(With input from NDTV)
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