GOD IS BOS NO POWER GET BIT GOD

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Obamas shake a leg with school kids to celebrate Diwali


US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle celebrated Diwali in style with school children in Mumbai on Sunday. What added to the joyfulness of the moment was US President joining his wife Michelle and school kids in dancing to the tunes of a Maharashtrian Koli song. The US first couple started their day at 9.50 am, when they arrived at Holy Name High School, located very close to the Taj Mahal Hotel – where he stayed overnight – to meet school children and celebrate Diwali with them. As per the Indian tradition, he lit the lamp and shook hands with children and patted them on their backs. Thereafter, students first performed a traditional dance with diyas (earthenware lamps). A visibly pleased Obama was seen smiling all through the dance performance. Michelle also could not hide her excitement and keenly watched the traditional dance form of India. After the dance with lamps, students danced on the tunes of a traditional Maharashtrian Koli (Fishermen) Song. Midway, some of the kids requested the Obamas to join them. At first the President turned down the invite politely even as Michelle got out of her seat in flash and joined the kids in dancing to the peppy tune.
Soon afterwards, the kids once again requested Obama to join in, he could not say no this time around and joined the kids on the dance floor amid applause from all those present in the small room where the function was being held. The students then showed Obama and his wife the traditional ‘rangoli’ made by them for the occasion. The visiting dignitaries were also requested to fill the Peacock design with coloured powder. The first couple of United States were then taken around a science exhibition, highlighting awareness about pollution and environment, followed by an interaction with 16 students, who participated in the exhibition, and a meeting with their parents and teachers. Last year, the US President had presided over a Diwali celebration at the White House. Following his engagements at the school, Obama headed straight to St Xavier`s College, where he is to address a gathering of select student from different city colleges and also take questions from the young minds. Connecting with real India The American President will also be interacting with farmers of Kanpura village of Ajmer in Rajasthan via video conference. He is said to be keen to understand how IT is revolutionising agriculture and governance in India’s villages.
Delhi calling The US President’s entourage will leave Mumbai at around 1.30 pm to arrive in Delhi at 3.35 pm at the Palam Air Base side of Indira Gandhi International Airport. In a special gesture, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur will be present at the tarmac to receive Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. Singh, 78, and Obama, 49, share a special chemistry and have praised each other on several occasions. Obama hosted the first state dinner of his presidency for Manmohan Singh in Washington on November 24 last year. The US President will then head to the Roosevelt House located inside the US embassy to meet Embassy staff and then visit Humayun’s Tomb. Later in the evening, the Obamas will be attending the private dinner being hosted by the Prime Minister at his official residence, 7 Race Course Road.