US president visits two Catholic institutions in India

(November 8, 2010) US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle visited two Catholic educational institutions during his stay in Mumbai. The First Couple danced, played with children and signed autographs as well fielded a volley of questions when they visited St. Xavier’s College and Holy Name School during the Nov. 6-7 stay in Mumbai, the country’s commercial capital. The audience at the Holy Name School clapped as Obama and Michelle danced with the students as part of a Diwali celebration. Two groups of students presented Obama and his wife their science projects on the theme, “Caring for Creation.” School principal Father Michael Pinto said his students had “prepared well” and put up an “excellent” performance without a hitch during the president’s 40-minute program. Obama also visited Jesuit-managed St. Xavier’s College, where he interacted with some 300 students from various colleges in the city. The US president fielded questions from the students that ranged from mid-term elections to spirituality. “India’s future is not determined by CEOs and political leaders. India’s future will be determined by young people like you, which is why I always meet young people and not only CEOs and heads of state,” Obama told the gathering.