New York: The poet in Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee re-surfaced on September 22 as he rounded off his address to the Indian community in New York with recitation of his famous poems "Geet Naya Gata Hoon" and "Kadam Milakar Chalna Hoga" evoking the spirit of togetherness.

Earlier, welcoming the Prime Minister, a group of youth sang "Kadam Milakar Chalna Hoga".

Concluding his speech, Vajpayee appreciated the musical rendition of his poem and said "nothing is more fulfilling for a poet than hearing his own poem being recited in his presence."

He pointed out that the main theme of the poem is a call "to rise above regionalism, caste, racial and religious divides--the evils which exist in India".

"In India, we are trying to stamp out the evils but you, living far away from your land, at least should try to rise above all these divides and uphold a distinct Indian identity," the Prime Minister exhorted.

PTI