President, First Lady do Diwali Shuffle with school kids...VideoPresident Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off Day 2 of their trip to India with a Sunday morning visit to the Holy Name High School in Mumbai. They toured a classroom and heard all about the students' science intensive and eco-friendly projects, then joined in a celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights.
In the school's auditorium, which was festooned with lights and colorful streamers for the national holiday, the President and First Lady lit a Diya with the kids, then watched some very acrobatic dancing from the traditionally garbed youngsters. They finally joined the dancing themselves. (Above, in action)
The celebration was due for the President. On Saturday, joined by CEOs from global corporations, he announced $10 billion in business contracts from India to help boost the American economy. Sunday afternoon, he was scheduled to attend an agricultural exposition and a student Town Hall, before traveling with Mrs. Obama to New Delhi, for a private dinner hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.Can President Obama dance? Not so much, according to pool, who reported that the President's dancing was "some not-terribly graceful shuffling." (Above, the President and First Lady light a Diya for Dewali)
Mrs. Obama, on the other hand, "did a remarkable job keeping up with the kids," pool noted. The video attests to that:
The full pool report:
[Ed. note: POTUS is the President, FLOTUS is the First Lady]
After a mad sprint, pool was shown upstairs to a small classroom with a sari-clad 10th grade teacher, four boys and two girls in jackets and ties in front of an array of environmental dioramas. Two girls presented an extremely well rehearsed rundown on their model of an eco-friendly village with a windmill looming over.
"So let us work today for tomorrow," the kids all said in unison.
A boy talked of forestry and asserted, "The government of India does not allow the felling of trees."
A paper mache black rock with a crying face was labeled "Black burnt carbon earth."
"You don't want to live on that," POTUS said.
Oversized cigarettes were bound and wired, and marked RDX of Cancer (which is a frighteningly sophisticated way to say dynamite). A blue paper mache globe was sinking into a cardboard sea, with the label "Sinking Earth." (Above: The President and Mrs. Obama with one of the students)POTUS quipped to the pool, "A tree a day keeps global warming away, in case you missed it."
He more earnestly said, "If the three of you continue on this path, you will potentially make great contributions to your country. This is very impressive, very impressive."
One boy told him, "We Indians believe Lord Rama created the earth. It is we, man, that are destroying it." He then lifted a black shroud to reveal a mirror for POTUS to look into.
A happy table had a field of grass with labels like Solar Energy, Plant A Tree, Put Off The Lights.
"Outstanding, those were excellent presentations," POTUS said, before asking the kids how many planned to continue their science education and go into the field. All said they would.
FLOTUS asked, "So how much of this are you able to implement in your lives?"
POTUS chimed back in, "We are very proud of you."
The teacher concluded, "We are extremely happy to have you. This is proud moment."
Then Hans Nichols of Bloomberg asked, "Is this more impressive then Sidwell or about on par?" [Ed. Note: Sidwell is the school the Obama daughters attend]FLOTUS shot him a withering, extended glare, but POTUS answered gamely.
"Young people are much more aware and focused on environmental issues than our generation...I noticed this with Malia and Sasha. I noticed with this presentation as well."
We were hustled downstairs for the main event into an auditorium festooned for Diwali in flowered wreaths and strings of lights draped from the walls. Children were dressed in bright Indian garb, salwar khamez, and traditional Koli clothes. POTUS and FLOTUS were handed candles to light the Diwali alter, which won them a round of applause. (Above: The President and Mrs. Obama watch dancers)
A girl told the couple that Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, to send out "a way powerful message. So sit back and enjoy."
They were then treated to some awesome, synchronized dances, lots of spinning and hand movements."Outstanding."
When the kids beckoned, FLOTUS jumped up to join. POTUS resisted. His wife did a remarkable job keeping up with the kids. Then POTUS gave in, did some not-terribly graceful shuffling, then threw in the towel and gathered the kids around for photos. The damage was done however. Great film. (Above: The post-dancing photo)
*Links to all posts from the Obama India trip are here, with the full schedule of the President and Mrs. Obama's events. Before leaving Washington, DC, President Obama sent out Diwali greetings to the world.
*Pool was Jonathan Weisman of Wall Street Journal *Top photo by Pete Souza/White House; others by AP, CNN video
