US President Barack Obama has been extended an invitation for an interaction with members of the Harvard Club of India during his visit to the capital. However, a formal acceptance is yet to be conveyed to Mr Surat Singh, an advocate and a classmate of Mr Obama at the Harvard Law School in the United States. “No programme has been finalised. But we would love to have an interaction with him,” said Mr Singh, when asked about his plans to welcome his former collegemate.
The advocate had sent an congratulatory e-mail to Mr Obama when he was elected the US President and had even attended the US President’s inaugural ceremony. Mr Singh, a former president of the Harvard Club of India, wished that the US President addressed a meeting of the club or at least has an interaction with the executive members. “Nothing has been finalised,” said Mr Singh.
While Mr Singh did not recall Mr Obama as being his close friend at Harvard Law School, he has been in touch with him in one way or the other. Mr Obama had also sent an e-mail to Mr Singh when he was chosen for the Nobel prize for international peace.
Though refusing to divulge details, Mr Singh said that he wished to have an honorary law degree conferred on Mr Obama. However, the proposal could not take shape due to certain legal issues involved. Mr Singh had been to the US last week and met a senior minister from the US President’s team, as apparently the President was busy with his tight schedule.
At a personal level, a memento is being planned on the part of Mr Singh to be presented to Mr Obama. However, the exact nature of the same has not yet been finalised. Mr Obama is said to have great respect for the Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi and is also not shy of seeking blessings of Lord Hanuman. The personal memento may be presented keeping his liking in mind.