A video Let's Move! Bollywood interlude: First Lady dances, hopscotches during visit to local library...Mumbai, India: Late on Saturday afternoon, during her first day in Mumbai, First Lady Michelle Obama danced to Bollywood tunes and played hopscotch with 33 very boys and girls from a program for underprivileged kids, during a visit to the University of Mumbai Library. She gave a short inspirational speech about the importance of education, then sent the kids off with a gift bag that included notebooks, pencils, pens and boxes of the much-coveted White House M&M's.* (Above: Mrs. Obama during her remarks)
The special sweets come in small white boxes with a dark blue presidential seal. M & M's is owned by Mars, Inc., which is among the major food corporations that have pledged to create healthier foods as part of the Let's Move! campaign.
The kids Mrs. Obama visited, age 8-13, learn English and life skills with the non-profit "Make A Difference," which has more than 800 volunteers in ten different cities in India, who teach about 2,800 students. It was started by two young social entrepreneurs who mobilize young adults to serve as mentors and teachers for disadvantaged children, many of whom are orphans and runaways.
In the imposing library, with soaring stained glass windows and a barrel vaulted dark wood ceiling, Mrs. Obama kicked off her shoes to play a game of barefoot hopscotch with the kids within minutes of arriving. It was pure educational fun: To advance, words had to be spelled correctly. Mrs. Obama spelled "America," and ID'd the nation's capital. (Above: Mrs. Obama during the hopscotch game)“I know that one. I live there,” she joked.
But Mrs. Obama nearly struck out on the word "happiness" -- but only because she was balanced on one foot at the time.
The First Lady and the kids then danced around to "Rang De Basanti" (Color Me Saffron) by Indian composer A.R. Rahman, who won two Oscars last year for "Slumdog Millionaire." Rahman was among the guests for the first State Dinner of the Obama administration, in honor of India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, at the White House in September 2009. Mumbai is India's Hollywood, and everyone knew the tune, of course. (Above: Mrs. Obama dancing with the kids)
"I love dancing. Oh that was fun!" Mrs. Obama said, before giving a five-minute inspirational speech.
"I didn't grow up with a lot of money," Mrs. Obama told the kids. "I never even imagined being the First Lady of the United States. But it was because of working hard, and studying, and learning how to write and read, and then I got a chance to go to college...when the time came to do this, I was ready." (Above: Bollywood fun)"So just remember there is nothing that you guys can’t do," Mrs. Obama said. "You know, you have everything it takes to be successful and smart and to raise a family, right?"
One "Q" for the Q&A...
Mrs. Obama instructed the kids to ignore the big pool of media that was in the room, and to ask her anything. But they were too shy...or overwhelmed.
"Don't worry about it being the -- saying it the right way," Mrs. Obama said. "If there's something that you want to know, or did you want to talk about, that I can tell you -- anybody?"
One brave little girl announced "I feel like my dream come true."
"You feel like your dream has come true?" Mrs. Obama encouraged.
"Yes," said the little girl, to much laughter.
"Why, because of me?" Mrs. Obama said.
"Yes!"
"No!" Mrs. Obama said.
"Yes! This is a dream for me --" the little girl insisted, to more laughter.
"No, you are my dream come true," Mrs. Obama said. "Well, we are very proud of you all. We’re very proud, you know? When me and the President get a little tired because our work gets hard sometimes, it’s because -- it’s when we get to spend time with you all that we go, yeah, this is what it’s all about. This is why we do what we do, because we’re trying to make this whole world better so that kids like you have the opportunities, the same opportunities, as every other kid, right?""So we’re very proud of you...You guys are going to do great. You’re going to do just great," Mrs. Obama concluded.
There were no more questions.
“Let’s dance some more! One more dance!” Mrs. Obama said.
She was quickly surrounded by a bouncing circle of girls throwing their arms up in the air. The boys nearby jumped up and down.
*As for those special White House M & M's the kids got to remember the First Lady by: They were also in the goodie bags the President and First Lady handed out to trick-or-treaters at the White House on Halloween.
Earlier on Saturday, the President and First Lady visited the 26/11 Memorial at the Taj Mahal Hotel, and they also toured the Gandhi Library. The President was at the US-India Business Summit, announcing $10 billion in deals for the US while Mrs. Obama had her visit with the children.
*Getty photos, CNN video
