'Bahut dhanyawad', 'Jai Hind': Obama uses Hindi to woo Indians

New Delhi, Jan 27: 'Bahut dhanyawad' and 'Jai Hind' were among few words spoken in Hindi by US President Barack Obama in his address to connect with the audience which gathered to hear him at the Siri Fort auditorium here.

"I bring the friendship and greetings of the American people. On behalf of myself and Michelle, thank you so much for welcoming us back to India, 'bahut dhanyawad'," Obama said in his opening remarks. He also charmed everyone by quoting Shah Rukh Khan's famous line 'Senorita, bade bade deshon mein...' from blockbuster 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'.

Obama drew a loud cheer from the audience after he borrowed SRK's famous dialogue from the movie.

"Last celebration here we celebrated festival of lights in Mumbai. We danced with some children. Unfortunately, we were not able to schedule any dancing in this visit. Senorita, bade bade desho mein... you know what I mean," Obama said with a smile while addressing a town hall event on the third and final day of his visit to India.

The US President picked Indian heroes like actor Shah Rukh Khan, sports icons Milkha Singh and Mary Kom, and Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi to make a point that courage and humanitarian values unify both the nations.

Obama, who spoke on various issues like religion, women empowerment and greater partnership between India and America, ended his remark by saying 'Jai Hind'. Soon after the conclusion of his remark, both Obama and Michelle went closer to the audience and shook hands with them amid loud clappings.

A song 'sun mitwa, o mitwa' from Hindi movie 'Lagaan' was also being played in the background as both of them shook hands with the people.

PTI