As India and some of the world awaits PM Modi's Madison Square Garden speech, yesterday, using an unusual platform of a rock concert, Modi invoked "can do" attitude of youth to change India and the world while addressing a thousands-strong crowd which gathered for "Global Citizen Festival" in Central Park in New York.

After a seven-minute speech in English, Modi also read out a Sanskrit scripture calling for "peace in the world" and greeted the largely-American crowd with a "Namaste" amid cheers and claps.

Amid performances by various singers, Modi was introduced to the crowd by actor Hugh Jackman as someone who started as a "tea salesman" and went on to become chief minister of Gujarat and then Prime Minister of India with a huge mandate.

Addressing the crowd, Modi sent his "Namaste" to also those watching the concert on "TVs, laptops, tablets and phones".

Modi said he was delighted to be among the youth in an open park and not inside a closed conference room. "Because you are the future. What you do today, will decide our tomorrow. I feel a current of hope in this park. Among you, I feel confident about the future," he said.