PM Modi recalls Swami Vivekananda's message of universal brotherhood on 9/11 anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday recalled Swami Vivekananda's message of universal brotherhood delivered during a soul-stirring address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893, on the thirteenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

"Had we followed Swamiji's message, history would never have witnessed such dastardly acts as the 9/11 terror attack," tweeted Prime Minister Modi.

"Through his address, Swami Vivekananda drew the entire world's attention to our nation's rich history and strong cultural roots," he added.

"Sisters and brothers of America"...with these words of Swami Vivekananda, India's message of universal brotherhood reverberated across the world," the Prime Minister further tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi's tweet also said, "There are two images of 11th September - one of the trail of destruction in 2001, and the other - the message of Swami Vivekananda in 1893. Had we followed Swamiji's message, history would never have witnessed such dastardly acts as we saw on 11th September 2001 in USA."

"Let us remember the words of Swami Vivekananda and dedicate ourselves to furthering the cause of unity, brotherhood and world peace," he added.

Twelve years ago, on this day, a series of four coordinated terror attacks, including the horrific attacks on New York's Twin Towers and other sites in the United States killed nearly 3,000 people, sparking an almost decade-long manhunt for al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden.

While two hijacked aircrafts crashed into the North and South towers of World Trade Center in New York, the third smashed into the Pentagon, and the fourth targeted at Washington D.C., crashed into a field in Pennsylvania.

More than a century ago, on the same day, Swami Vivekananda preached the essence of universal brotherhood to the world from America, by delivering a model speech at the Parliament of World's Religions held in Chicago.

Since then, the day is celebrated as World Brotherhood Day as a mark of respect to that speech.