If a front-row seat for the Barack and Michelle Obama town hall-style meeting at St. Xavier's College could position me among the city's 300 lucky students, the exchange of a few nice words with the First Lady of the U.S. could only have stoked my ego!
When the U.S. President, with his sleeves rolled up, brought an end to a vibrant Q&A session at the basketball court at St. Xavier's, I was somewhat disappointed by Mr. Obama's random pick and choose policy which did not spot a Jai Hind college hand to field a loaded question. I felt no grudge though at other college students getting more than their share, but at the end of the interaction I had my moment under the sun with Ms. Michelle Obama responding to my adulation of her with a broad smile and a reply.
When she and Mr. Obama came around to meet and shake hands with us, I told her: “I absolutely loved your speech, especially your reference to empowerment of the girl child.” She replied saying: “That's extremely crucial.” This short one-liner and the Obamas' gender sensitivity made my day.
Well, it was a Sunday. Mr. Obama kept his appointment with the city's student community which was keen to meet him. He proved to be a hit. He was a communicator par excellence and he truly held the centre stage. When posed with a couple of tough questions in relation to U.S. foreign policy and military actions, he searched for answers, but found a way out. He was forceful and spoke with conviction on most topics and had the audience riveted. His articulation and body language mirrored his confidence.
Equally impressive was Ms. Michelle Obama. Her opening remarks were crisp. She introduced the American President to a young audience that was quite upbeat since morning. I was happy to be among the select group and my friends felt the same. After all how many get a chance to meet the President of the United States of America, regarded as the most powerful person in the world, and also his wife.
An important aspect that was most obvious in their speeches was a heightened sense of optimism. Their speeches urged us to dream of utopias, rendering us oblivious to the material realities. It was a little difficult to negotiate with this kind of idealism to be realised within the next ‘20 years' as proposed by Mr. Obama. However, the response to one of the questions was very reassuring in establishing materiality or the immediate needs of the human beings as indisputable.
I have read about past American Presidents — George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, George Bush…and others. Barack Obama…. I have met him now. It was a memorable Sunday for me.
(Gayatri V. is a student of English Literature, Jai Hind College, Mumbai)
