OBAMAS IN MUMBAI - PART 2

In fact, the second day of stay at Mumbai was a memorable one for both Obamas.

Celebrating Diwali with school kinds by dancing with them might have relaxed the couple a good deal and also for millions of Indians, it was a great sight.

The President and the First Lady of America enjoyed the dance with Indian children at Holy Name High School at Colaba might have brought to their mind their own two sweet daughters.

Kids always bring down tensions in the minds of people whether they are Presidents or residents of any country.

After a light time, the Obamas moved to meet the 300 selected college students from various local colleges at one of the oldest colleges of Mumbai – St. Xavier’s College.

Michelle Obama welcomed the youths – boys and girls – and introduced her husband and asked him to face some tough questions from the budding leaders of India.

Barack Obama as usual came to the open dais of the basket ball court briskly walking and took the microphone.

There was a standing ovation from the assembled crowd which was dotted with security personals both from the US and India.

Obama was wearing a white shirt and black trousers.

He gave a speech explaining the purpose of his visit and also his high regard for Indians and Indian culture and above all Mahatma Gandhi.

He also mentioned that India is a role model for the world as far as democracy and green revolution are concerned.

The inspiring speech loaded with optimism might have certainly inspired and motivated the Mumbai college boys and girls.

Obama told the students - the future innovators, educators and entrepreneurs – that they have to think of future India and its relevance in the growing world in cooperation with the United States of America.

Obama was not in a hurry; he took his own time enjoying the company of the young ones of India.

He invited questions from those young ones to answer, for which he picked up a girl who rose her hand first, which was followed by a boy then a girl alternately.

It was at random.

No one knows whom he was choosing and what sort of question he was expecting.

Everything went on in an order.

The students asked some inconvenient questions such as jihad, Kashmir, spirituality, Mahatma Gandhi etc.

They were the real tough questions for the President. 

Very patiently, Obama answered those questions and also all those who watched the session from all over the world including me.

He talked about terrorists, religious fanatics, non-involvement of the US in Kashmir issue, Pakistan’s difficulty in controlling the Talibans in its border, his partial follow up of Gandhi’s ideals, simplicity in life, climate change, students role in building up a nation, universities in both India and the US and a whole lot of issues which are essential information for the student community.

He did mention that a stable Pakistan is good for India because India is on the move.

He also said that the history between India and Pakistan is incredibly complex and was born of much tragedy and violence.

His hope was, over time, trust develops between the two countries.

That dialogue begins perhaps on less controversial issues building up to more controversial issues.

And over time there is a recognition that India and Pakistan can live side by side in peace.

It was good on the part of the students to get all these words from the Lion’s mouth.

Many politicians and Indian media in fact, wanted to hear these words from Obama on the first day of his arrival at Mumbai.

I am quite sure that every student who was seated there in the open auditorium should have enjoyed and got inspired by the speech of the President.

It was a historic event in their life to hear Obama so close and near.

Every one will be considering this great opportunity as one of the milestones in his or her path of life.

After completing the session Obama shook hand with many students who might have very much wanted the wonderful opportunity of touching the great man of today’s world.

His wife Michelle was signing autographs of the students.

The security took the Obamas to the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport and they were aboard Air Force One to fly to New Delhi in the afternoon.

The Mumbai police had a sigh of relief because 43,000 staff was put on duty to make a perfect security arrangement for the visiting American President.