"The most Memorable Moment of my Life"

 “The Moment when I shook hands with Obama”

St. Xavier’s College has been privileged to host many dignitaries from all parts of the world, the latest one being President Obama of the U.S.A. Obama’s visit was anticipated with joy and eager excitement, particularly because of his iconic status as the president of a powerful nation who represents the youthful and forward looking people’s of the world, eager and progress for every one.

We at Xavier’s were thrilled to hear that the president Obama had chosen our college as the venue to interact with students of Mumbai in a “Town Hall Meeting”. It was indeed an enormous privilege to play host to him and my own joy knew no bounce when I was selected to be one of the student to meet him face to face.

When finally the day arrived the college wore an air of expectations. It was all spruced up and fortified with intense security. As we waited for the clock to strike the appointed hour, mellifluous Indian music played in the background. The first lady Michelle Obama made an entry with admirable grace and greeted as all with a “Namaste”. She was all smiles and put all of us at ease at once. After making a brief speech she exhorted the students to ask her husband some tough and challenging questions. She then announced her husband the President, and onto the stage strode Mr. Barrack Hussain Obama waving out to us all. The president’s humility was felt by all those presents and a rapport came about instantly. I for one was struck by his humaneness when he requested that we should all be served some water as the day was a hot one. The ice once broken, the students were made happy and felt comfortable to interact with him.

The president began by posing a few questions for all to ponder upon. The President asked us, what we wanted India to look like, 20 years from now, and what kind of partnership we expected from the United States 20 years hence. Finally he asked how we wanted to take steps for making the world a better place. The students asked him some questions that were uppermost in their minds. The President answered them very sincerely.

I gifted him a book “Winning the Peace – A Quest” written by Dr. Zeenat Shaukat Ali and a cross pendant to Michelle Obama which was humbly accepted by her. This day will be remembered by all of us for eternity and this will always be etched in our memory. The most memorable moment was when I actually shook hands with him.