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Journalism of Courage
In his last public event before he wrapped up his three-day state visit to India, US President Barack Obama enthralled a select gathering at the Siri Fort auditorium in south Delhi. He spoke on the topic ‘India & America: the future we can build together’, describing the numerous opportunities that both countries have to build a constructive partnership.
While we all know that Obama is a fantastic orator, his humorous interludes in the speech were duly welcomed with wide applause. Here we have compiled 10 best quotes that we thought deserved to be highlighted.
1. “More than a 100 years ago, America welcomed a son of India – Swami Vivekananda and he helped bring Hindiusm and Yoga to our country.”
2. “Senorita..bade bade deshon mein…ah you know what I mean” (This popular quote from the Bollywood film ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ took everyone by surprise and had the audience in splits.)
3. “You have pulled countless millions out of poverty and built one of the world’s largest middle classes. Nobody embodies this progress and sense of responsibility than our youth.”
4. “India and the US are not just natural partners. I believe American can be India’s best partner.”
5. “America wants to be your partner as you protect the health of your people and the beauty of this land — from the backwaters of Kerala to the banks of Ganga.” (This proved he is well aware of India’s geographical highlights.)
6. “To ensure international peace and security, multilateral institutions created in the 20th century should be updated for the 21se century. That’s why I support a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as its permanent member.” (This was again met with cheer from the audience as India has long been demanding that US support its claim to a seat in the United Nations Security Council)
7. “Even as we live in a world of terrible inequalities, we are also proud to live in countries where the grandson of a cook can become President, or even a Dalit can help write the Constitution and even a tea-seller can become Prime Minister.”
8. “Our nations are strongest when we uphold the equality of all our people – especially our women. I am married to a strong and talented woman. Michelle is not afraid to speak her mind or tell me when I am wrong.”
9. “Across our two countries, we have Hindus and Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jews and Buddhists, we remember the wisdom of Gandhiji who said, “for me, different religions are flowers from the same garden, or branches of the same majestic tree.”
10. “India will succeed so long as it is not splintered on religious lines.” (Obama here makes a strong pitch for religious tolerance in India.)
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