On the eve of US president Barack Obama's historic visit to India as a chief guest for 66th Republic day parade at Delhi, Mani Bhavan staffers and trustee recalls fond memories of Obama's visit to Mani bhavan four years ago. He had spent around 45 minutes in this Museum. During his museum tour then, Obama had told museum officials that he would come back one day with his daughters, Malia and Sasha.
Obama will be accompanied by a sizable delegation that will include several top officials, as well as First Lady Michelle Obama, when he arrives in New Delhi tomorrow morning, the White House has said.
"Obama had deep knowledge of Gandhi and his teachings. It struck us to all trustee and official from Mani Bhavan, that the American president seemed to know about most stories from Gandhi's life. He is a well read man and knows a lot about Gandhiji's life. He seemed to have loved the tour of the memorial because he looked very relaxed," said, Usha Thackker, president, Mani Bhavan. In 2011, 6th November Obama visited different places in the city, Mani Bhavan is one of the place.
She added, "After the tour, the American first couple met all the museum trustees who had gathered in one room. They shook hands and also clicked photographs with all of them."
Mani Bhavan is simple, vernacular-styled, two-storied building on Laburnum Road was where Gandhiji stayed whenever he visited Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. It was later converted into a museum and research centre.
"I remember during the tour, Obama was signed a copy of his book 'The dream from my father' which was available in the library and left a message on the first page that said: 'I continue to find inspiration in Gandhiji's teaching'. Later he and Michelle made entries in the visitor's book. The
president wrote - "I am filled with hope and inspiration as I have the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi's life. He is a hero not just to India but to the world, Barack." Michelle wrote : 'The visit
will be one that I will always treasure. The life and teachings of Gandhi must be shared with our children around the world, Michelle.'" said Yogesh Kamdar, Honarary Secretary, Mani Bhavan.
Another staffer Sajeev Rajan of Mani Bhvan recalls, while both left the library after a tour over, Obama told museum officials that he would come back one day with his daughters, Malia and Sasha.
Mani Bhavan trustees gifted the Obamas two books and two CDS, one a documentary film on Gandhi made by Vitthalbhai Jhaveri and the other, a collection of Samar Geet sung by Shubha Mudgal and Anish Pradhan. The two books were 'Women in Indian Society' written by Usha Thackker and Dr Neera Desai. The other book was 'Mahatma: A Golden Treasury of Wisdom'.
