Mumbai: Their presentations on green topics like rain water harvesting and wind energy clearly left the US first couple very impressed as they interacted with students of a city school on Sunday.
US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle interacted with select student of the Holy Name High School on Sunday morning. Their enthusiasm on environmental issues made Obama remark that children in today's world are more aware about global issues like environment than his generation.
"Young people are much aware and focused about environmental issues than our generation. I have noticed this from Malia and Sasha (their two daughters) and from today's presentation," Obama said after viewing a science exhibition put up by students of Class 10.
The students made presentations on issues like global warming, the importance of wind energy, eco-friendly villages besides rain water harvesting.
Asked by Obama what the students thought about solutions to the problems of clean energy and global warming, a student replied that they organise awareness programmes and hold afforestation rallies.
While entering the room where the exhibition was put up, the Obamas greeted the children with 'Namaste', and 'Nice to see you all'.
They also interacted with the 15 students individually.
Later, at the St Xavier's college, President Obama said, "Michelle and I saw this wonderful exhibit on global warming and the concern that these young people had. They were 14, 15. Their energy and enthusiasm was infectious and I asked them which one of you are gonna be a scientist, who are gonna try and solve this problem, and all of them raised their hands."
"And I told them this is hugely important for India, and they said not for India, but for the world. Their ambition was not just to be a great scientist for India, their ambition was to be a great scientist for the world," he said, praising the children.