Obama fans to hold special prayers for his swearing-in

When Barack Obama is sworn in as the president of the United States on Tuesday, his fans here would be holding "special prayers" wishing him success in his new assignment and taking out a peace march.

"We are organising a special Sunderkand (a Ramayan chapter) recitation session, to convey our best wishes to Obama, who is a devotee of Lord Hanuman, and would pray for his success," said Sunil Gombre, a city-based businessman.

The 46-year-old President-elect carries a medallion of Lord Hanuman with him as a good luck charm.

"For us it's a big day. As we can not attend the swearing in function in the US, we have decided to celebrate the occasion here. Organising a Sunderkand session is the best thing for Obama," says Gombre.

The prayer session would be organised at Gombre's residence.  He claimed that he had already sent a "rare" encyclopedia, articles and pictures of Lord Hanuman to Obama, during his run for the presidential post and nourishes a dream of reciting Sunderkhand in the White House.     

"Reciting Sunderkand in the White House is my biggest dream. I have already written a letter to the new president in this regard," he said.

Students would take out a peace march tomorrow pressing Obama to work for a safe and secure future for the children of the world. 

"Over 10,000 students will take out the peace march," City Montessori School founder manager Jagdish Gandhi said. He said an appeal signed by one lakh people of Lucknow will be sent to Obama in this regard.