Catholic School in Mumbai to Host President Obama

(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.