Do you know the power of just five words? 

It was witnessed on September 11, 1893, in Chicago, USA, during the World Parliament of Religions. When Swami Vivekananda stood up to respond to the welcome and began his speech with “Sisters and Brothers of America,” the approximately 7,000 people present, representing nations across the globe, applauded for more than two minutes.

In Swamiji’s own words, the applause was so thunderous for two minutes that one was compelled to cover their ears. The applause was for a monk who came from a colonized nation and had faced difficulties just a day earlier in securing accommodation, food, and adequate clothing during the cold season in America. Moreover, Swamiji also had to endure racial discrimination; some called him “Black,” while others referred to him as “Negro.”

Despite enduring all of this, not a single word of hatred or even a complaint escaped from Swamiji’s lips. With a heartfelt spirit, he began, “Sisters and Brothers of America!” This became one of the defining moments of the 19th century, resonating India’s voice across the world.

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