US First family will share Diwali joy with students, parents from Holy Name High School.
Mamta Chauhan, 14, a class IX student of Holy Name High School in Colaba, will be attending school every day till Diwali to rehearse for an event, despite her ongoing Diwali vacation. But, Chauhan is not complaining one bit.
On November 7, she is all set to meet the most powerful person in the world. US president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, will be visiting Chauhan’s school next Sunday to celebrate Diwali with a select group of students and staff from the school. Obama will even try his hand at rangoli-making, as part of the school’s cultural event.
The school, set up in 1939, was finalised last week, after a recce of all the schools in the area. Principal Father Michael Pinto said, “Officials from the US Consulate came to our school 15 days ago and we gave them a brief profile of the school and the students.
They liked our school’s profile and the events that we do for the students. A few days later, we were told that they had finalised our school for the US president’s visit. We are honoured. He will start the Diwali celebrations by lighting the samai lamp (ceremonial lamp) at our school.”
The school’s counsellor Seher Pathan said, “Obama and his wife will decorate a rangoli. The drawing teachers and a few students will draw a peacock, and some places will be left empty for them to fill in with colours. The students are also going to perform as part of a cultural event. We were told that Obama likes traditional songs, so we have selected a Koli and Diya dance.”
She added that the school building, which looks like the face of an open book, would be decorated with artificial kandeels and decorative pieces. “We have been asked to keep fire and crackers away from the event. Officials from the consulate are visiting our schools regularly to oversee preparations and security aspects.”
The consulate officials have asked the school to put up four or five science projects on display in one of the classrooms. The projects will be on topics related to the environment and geography. Only two teachers and four students have been asked to be present to explain the project to the president.
Only the students who will be performing and their parents will be allowed inside the school premises due to security reasons. However, nobody will be allowed to come close to the president or even shake hands with him. Since the Cathedral Church is attached to the school, the archbishop and cardinal will also be present for the event along with the dignitaries accompanying the president.
Chauhan, who will be performing the Diya dance with a group of eight students, is also excited about the visit. “We are nervous, but looking forward to meeting him. We’ll be rehearsing every day to make our act perfect,” said Chauhan.
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