(November 06, 2010) A Catholic school at Colaba, Mumbai has been chosen to greet
the President of America as he celebrates the festival of lights during his five-day
visit to India. U.S. President Barack Hussain Obama and his wife Michelle are having
their second Deepavali celebrations with the students of Holy Name School in southern
Mumbai, November 7 morning. Last year, the president celebrated his first Deepavali
at the White House along with many Indian-Americans. But not all of the students
in the Colaba School are in luck to share their festival joy with the Obamas. A small
group of only 24 children have been handpicked to give the president company. Principal
of the school, Father Michael Pinto, November 2 said: “We were surprised and at the
same time happy to know that our school has been chosen for the Deepavali celebrations
with the American president. The children are very excited and they feel honoured
that Obama is visiting their school.” The students are now busy preparing cultural
programmes and projects to impress the president. While some are making welcome posters,
some others are sweating it out, practising the traditional Koli dance to welcome
the U.S. first couple. The children are scheduled to present a cultural programme
including the deepavali dance and items on environment when the President comes on
Sunday morning. There will be a brief interaction session between the students and
President Obama, said Fr Pinto, the Principal. Obama and Michelle will be received
by Koli dancers and taken to the auditorium where the couple will light a traditional
lamp.