Within sniffing distance of the Obamas

Two feet. That was the closest any journalist came today to the world's most powerful man during US President Barack Obama's visit to the financial capital of India.

To experience Obama at such close quarters added to the thrill of the select reporters and photographers, escorted by US security personnel, to the Mani Bhavan library, where the American President signed the visitor's book.

All that separated the mediamen, including those who came with the presidential entourage, was a thin black ribbon when the book signing began.

Obama walked into the library, adorned with slogans such as 'Freedom is like a birth', 'Life is great than all art' and 'Ahimsa (non violence) is the highest ideal'.

The US president, along with first lady Michelle, walked to the specially built podium where the book was kept.

Obama, wielding a pen in his left hand, immediately got down to writing the message, describing Mahatma Gandhi as a hero not just to India but to the world.

Michelle wrote that Gandhi's teachings should be shared with children around the world.

"The president and the first lady said they were very impressed with the simple life of Gandhi," the Mahatma's granddaughter and chairperson of the Gandhi Smarak, Nidhi Ushaben Gokani said.

"In fact, Michelle embraced me and the president even invited me to meet them in the White House," Gokani said after Obama's 45-minute visit to the place where the Father of the Nation stayed while in Mumbai during 1917-34.