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St. Xavier's College was privileged to host President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on campus for a series of events culminating in a Town-Hall type of meeting with 300 students - chosen from 6 colleges of the city, including the host college - arguably among the best students of the country. Two prior events: an interaction with Agricultural Innovation Technology leaders, and a glimpse, with Mr. Sam Pitroda, of how technology caters to furthering the aims of democracy in a large country like India, were the prelude to both Michelle Obama and then President Obama interacting intensely with the students.

President Obama was very gracious in taking questions from 6 students picked randomly from around the stage (every student seemed to have his or her hand up!) and answering them patiently and exhaustively, questions that centered on issues of world concern including terrorism, the economy, Afghanistan, Pakistan and even the relevance of values and of inspirational leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.
But it was the three questions posed by President Obama himself to the students, that were the most impressive and thought-provoking:
1. What do you want India to look like in 20 years?
2. How would you like the relations to be between India and the U.S. 20 years from now?
3. What contribution would YOU like to make in the world, to make it a better place?

St. Xavier's College was delighted to host this event in its heritage campus. The event was organised by the U.S. Consulate General of Mumbai, with the collaboration of Indian NGOs and industry and with the solid security arrangements of the Mumbai Police, in collaboration with the Secret Service of the U.S. The College presented the President with a copy of its Coffeetable Book, "Celebrating Diversity", which marks 140 years of its existence. We are grateful to all who contributed to the immense success of the day.