Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his historical address at the joint session of the US Congress at Capitol Hill said the need of the hour for both the nations is to deepen their security cooperation. The Prime Minister was given a rousing welcome by the members when he entered the House.
During his entire speech, the Prime Minister connected India to America with his various quotes and said, Indian Americans are bridging both the nations. Today the Indians are among the America's best of academics, scientists, doctors, CEOs and even the best spelling Bees.
Modi also applauded the great sacrifices of the men and women from “the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”.
While the Prime Minister received a multitude of standing ovations and applauses during his address, some of his words also left the Congress men and women laughing.
Here are the top ten quotes from PM Modi's address:
1. Modern India is in its 70th year. For my government, the Constitution is its real holy book. And, in that holy book, freedom of faith, speech and franchise, and equality of all citizens, regardless of background, are enshrined as fundamental rights.
2. I have heard you are harmonious and well-known for bipartisanship. I have also witnessed a similar spirit in Indian Parliament, especially in Upper House.
3. Today, across its streets and institutions, in its villages and cities, anchored in equal respect for all faiths; and in the melody of hundreds of its languages and dialects. India lives as one; India grows as one; India celebrates as one.
4. Globally, terrorism remains the biggest threat, going by different names, but with the common philosophy of hate, murder and violence. Terror is incubated in India's neighbourhood. Although it's shadow is spreading across the world, it is incubated in India's neighbourhood.
5. Engagement between our democracies has been visible in the manner in which our thinkers impacted one another, and shaped the course of our societies. Thoreau's idea of civil disobedience influenced our political thoughts. And, similarly the call by the great sage of India Swami Vivekananda to embrace humanity was most famously delivered in Chicago. Gandhi's non-violence inspired the heroism of Martin Luther King.
6. SIRI tells us that India's ancient heritage of Yoga has over 30 million practitioners in the U.S. It is estimated that more Americans bend for yoga than to throw a curve ball. And, no Mr Speaker, we have not yet claimed intellectual property right on Yoga.
7. Our independence was ignited by the same idealism that fuelled your struggle for freedom. No wonder then that former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee called India and the U.S. 'natural allies'.
8. Connecting our two nations is also a unique and dynamic bridge of three million Indian Americans. Today, they are among your best CEOs; academics; astronauts; scientists; economists; doctors; even spelling bee champions. They are your strength. They are also the pride of India. They symbolize the best of both our societies.
9. Our 800 million youth, especially, are particularly impatient. India is undergoing a profound social and economic change. A billion of its citizens are already politically empowered. My dream is to economically empower them through many social and economic transformations. And, do so by 2022, the seventy-fifth anniversary of India's independence.
10. President Obama and I have agreed that India as UN Security Council's permanent member has to be an intrinsic part of this century's new reality.
