President of the United States at the Town Hall address in Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi. (Image Courtesy: Associated Press)
US President Barack Obama has barely exited Indian airspace, but his blockbuster farewell speech has already been played many times over. A stirring speech that underscored shared values, it also had a
desi tadka, strewn with words like
bahut dhanyawad and
bhangra. And then there were the many references to Indians, some famous, others made famous by POTUS today.
Here are 10 Indians who were mentioned in the Obama speech at Siri Fort auditorium in Delhi this morning:
Swami Vivekananda
Founder of the Ramakrishna Mission who visited America in 1893
Source"More than a 100 years ago, Swami Vivekananda helped bring Hinduism and yoga to America. He came to my hometown of Chicago. He began his speech with 'Sisters and brothers of America," so let me begin today by saying , Sisters and brothers of India. "
Neha Buch Volunteer with the NGO Pravah and founding member of the Kutumb Foundation. She introduced POTUS before the speech
"Nothing fills me up with more hope, than when I hear incredible young people like Neha, and all the outstanding work that she's doing on behalf of India's youth. And for representing this nation's energy and its optimism and idealism. She makes me very very proud."
Shah Rukh Khan Actor and star of
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, the film POTUS quoted in his speech
"India will succeed so long as it is not splintered. And is unified as one nation. It's when all Indians, whatever you faith go to the movies and applaud actors like Shah Rukh Khan"
POTUS also borrowed this famous line from DDLJ: "
Bade bade deshon mein...you know what I mean."
Vishal Son of a labourer the Obamas met at the Humayun's Tomb in 2010
"The last time we were in India, Michelle and I visited Humayun's Tomb where we met labourers and their families and children. We met one young boy called Vishal who is now 16 years old and wants to join the army when he grows up"
He also said: "Have hope for Indian youth, believe in a young boy who knows he has a chance as long as he keeps studying"
Milkha Singh Former athlete and Gold medalist at Common Wealth Games
Source: AP
Mary KomIndian boxing champ and bronze-medalist at the Olympics
"India takes great pride in people like Milkha Singh and Mary Kom. There is no dearth of talent in India"
Mahatma Gandhi "India represents an intersection of two people who inspire me -- Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi"
He also said: "We remember the wisdom of Gandhiji who said, 'for me the different religions are beautiful flowers in the same garden, branches of the same tree"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi"A young boy delivering lunch on a bicycle, a young girl hauling a bucket of water. Even as we live in a world of inequality, there is still hope if the grandson of a cook can be President and a tea-seller can become Prime Minister. Everyone has a chance."
Kailash Satyarthi Winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize
Source"Every Indian should take pride and courage in the man who frees boys and girls from forced labour. Kailash Satyarthi, he's here today, the most recent winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace."
Lt Gen Pooja Thakur She commanded the Guard of Honour for POTUS at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 25
"Great matter of pride to see Indian women in the armed forces including the officer who led the Guard of Honour for me when I am arrived."