Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday became emotional while recalling the hardships his mother had to undergo, including washing utensils in neighbours' homes, to bring up her children.
Answering a question about the role of his mother at the Facebook townhall meeting, Modi said he hails from a humble and poor family.
"I sold tea in railway stations. It is hard to imagine that a tea seller has become the leader of the world's largest democracy. I salute the people of India who have made a commoner like me to this top position."
He said his father has died and his mother, who is now 90, is fit and does all her work by herself. Modi's mother's name is Hiraben, and she lives in Gujarat.
"She cannot read or write but keeps in touch with the news through the television," Modi said.
Recalling his tough childhood, Modi took long pauses, and his voice choked.
"When we were small, in order to make ends meet, my mother would wash utensils in neighbours homes. She used to clean the dishes, fill water, work as a labourer; you can imagine what a mother had to do to raise her children, the difficulties she went through.
"And this is not the case just of Narendra Modi. In India, there are hundreds and thousands of mothers like that who have sacrificed their entire life for their children. And that is why I salute all mothers."
"And their blessings will give us strength to remain on the right path. That is the mother's biggest strength, she will want that you become something but be focused on how you become that something, and that is the biggest contribution in a person's life; the role of a mother."
Modi later met Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg's parents, who were among the audience.
Zuckerberg changes Facebook profile picture to support 'Digital India'
Ahead of his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg changed his profile picture to support 'Digital India'. Within minutes, Modi too changed his picture to thank him.
"I changed my profile picture to support 'Digital India', the Indian government's effort to connect rural communities to the internet and give people access to more services online. Looking forward to discussing this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Facebook today," posted Zuckerberg on Facebook.
Within minutes, Modi, who is heading to the Facebook headquarters for a townhall-style question answer session on "how communities can work together to address social and economic challenges" also changed his profile picture to thank him.
Zuckerberg's new picture shows his side profile overlaid with the saffron, white and green colours of the Indian flag.
Modi's new picture shows his full face with the colours of India similarly overlaid.
Modi will follow his visit to the Facebook headquarters with a visit to the Google headquarters.
He will also address the India-US Startup Konnect, an event that will showcase the strengths of India's startup ecosystem.
Modi asks Americans to take advantage of India's 3 Ds
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invited Americans to invest in India taking advantage of its three unique strengths -- democracy, demography and demand -- to which he added a fourth one, deregulation.
"What India has, the world doesn't, we have the 3 Ds -- democracy, demography and demand, which is our unique strength," Modi said during a town hall style interaction with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at its Menlo Park headquarters.
Noting how the perception of India had changed in a short period of time thanks to the power of social media, he said technology can help India, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, in its quest to become a $20 trillion economy.
"We are an $8 trillion economy today. My dream is for India to become a $20 trillion dollar economy," Modi said.
"Amazing, how perception about India has changed in a very short time. We have brought in a new level of confidence," he added.
"You are associated with the service sector, and I have seen the power of it," Modi said.
"If you look at tourism for example, India has tremendous potential. Technology has really helped the industry and has brought the world together."
"People in India don't know where to invest their money. I am giving them the addresses. Go, here's where you can invest your money," he said.
He was responding to a question from a techie who moved to Bengaluru and who wanted to know what investments India will make for their businesses to grow.
Prompted by Zuckerberg to talk about his experience of being an early adopter of internet in India, Modi said: "I did not have the privilege to become a very educated person growing up. My world could revolve around a few words.
"But social media has filled the gap for me," he said.
Asked by Zuckerberg about the role of Modi's mother behind his success, the prime minister was moved to tears as he talked about his mother's struggles while raising him.
"There are lakhs of mothers like her in the world," he said.
"I would like to congratulate the parents of Mark, who have given the world a person that he has become," he said.
He then prompted Zuckerberg's parents, present in the crowd, to stand up for the people to see them.
Taking a dig at the social media restrictions in China, Modi said to the cheers of the tech savvy crowd: "The internet services are different in China."
"As you must know. But I am the same even in China. I wished their leader, a happy birthday on social media."
For those who are rating the prime minister's speech, he said.
"While I am talking here, there must be people discussing, 'Is Narendra Modi doing good or not, saying the right things or not'."
Zuckerberg said India was personally very important to the history of Facebook.
"Early on, before things were going well, we saw Steve Jobs," he said referring to the legendary chief executive of Apple Inc.
Modi also sought to tell Zuckerberg that India had other things to offer as well.
"When you came to India, you went to a temple. And look where you have reached today," he said.
Facebook had received more than 40,000 questions ranging from internet expansion in India to unemployment and Modi's human rights record.
Dream to make India $20 trillion economy: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he dreamt of making India a $20 trillion economy and that he was pleasantly surprised by the change of perception about his country in a short period of time.
Attending a question and answer 'town-hall' session with Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg at their office at Hackers Square here, the prime minister also said a lot had to be done to bridge the digital divide in India.
"We are an $8 trillion economy today. My dream is for India to become a $20 trillion dollar economy," Modi said, adding: "Amazing, how perception about India has changed in a very short time. We have brought in a new level of confidence."
Zuckerberg said India was personally very important to the history of Facebook.
"Early on, before things were going well, we saw Steve Jobs," he said, referring to the legendary chief executive of Apple Inc, now deceased.
Modi also sought to tell Zuckerberg that India has other things to offer as well.
"When you came to India, you went to a temple. And look where you have reached today," he said.
The Facebook chief had announced the Indian prime minister's visit on his page earlier this month and invited users to post questions. Tens of thousands of comments were made in reply, with questions on internet expansion in India, unemployment and also Modi's human rights record.
"We've received more than 40,000 questions for this town-hall," Zuckerberg said.
Typical to the US, a town hall meeting refers to an informal public event, open to all, where those who attend ask questions from invited guests, generally public figures or functionaries, and also give ideas and seek their grievances to be redressed.
Modi said that in the last one to one-and-half years, "the perception of India has changed a lot".
"If you look at tourism for example, India has tremendous potential. Technology has really helped the industry and has brought the world together," Modi said.
Prompted by Zuckerberg to talk about his experience of being an early adopter of internet in India, Modi said: "I did not have the privilege to become a very educated person growing up. My world could revolve around a few words.
"But social media has filled the gap for me," he said.
"You are associated with the service sector, and I have seen the power of it," Modi said.
Before the townhall began, Modi and Zuckerberg had a one-on-one meeting.
Patriotic songs like "Des Rangila Rangila" and "Dhoom Machale" from Bollywood films played in the hall.
The insights wall at the Facebook headquarters flashed about its 'India Connection'.
Earlier as Modi, dressed in a white shirt and black pants and a black Nehru jacket arrived for the townhall, he was greeted by Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan.
In the background, the music of "Chak De India" played to welcome Modi and the gathered crowd chanted "Modi, Modi".
At the usually very casual Facebook headquarters, Zuckerberg came dressed in a black suit and purple tie. There were many others also dressed in suits and ties.
Ahead of his interaction with Modi, Zuckerberg changed his profile picture to support 'Digital India'. Within minutes, Modi too changed his picture to thank him.
"I changed my profile picture to support Digital India, the Indian government's effort to connect rural communities to the internet and give people access to more services online. Looking forward to discussing this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Facebook today," posted Zuckerberg on Facebook.
Within minutes, Modi also changed his profile picture to thank him.
Zuckerberg's new picture shows his side profile overlaid with the saffron, white and green colours of the Indian flag.
Modi's new picture shows his front with the colours of India similarly overlaid.
