NEW DELHI: US First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, visited the Sarvodaya Co-education Senior Secondary School in Nanakpura here on Tuesday and greeted students with a ‘Namaste.’
Expressing delight, the US First Lady thanked the school students for a welcoming traditional dance performance.
“This is my first visit to India and I cannot express how delightful it is. People here are so welcoming and so kind. I learned that ‘Sarvodaya’ means ‘prosperity for all.’ As I walked around, I was able to see how the concept exists amid the curriculum in the leadership of the teachers as well as the spirit of enthusiasm of the students,” she said while addressing students and teachers.
Melania attended a ‘Happiness Classes’ at the school as a part of which students are taught various activities including meditation, street plays, basic obedience aimed at reducing anxiety and stress levels among children.
“It is very inspiring to me that the students here begin each day by participating in mindfulness, from mindful breading, telling stories to friends, listening to another classmate, or simply connecting with the nature. I cannot think of a better way for all of us to start our day,” she noted.
She also visited one of the primary school classrooms and learned about the reading programs.
The wife of US President said that back home she works with children to promote similar ideas of well-being through the ‘BE BEST’ initiative.
According to the White House, the mission of BE BEST is to focus on some of the major issues being faced by children today. As the name suggests, the goal of the programme is to encourage children to be best in their individual paths, while also teaching them the importance of social, emotional, and physical health.
The three pillars of ‘BE BEST’ include dangers of drug abuse, importance of online safety, and overall well-being of children.
“It is my hope that by talking about the values of ‘BE BEST,’ the young people in the US and around the world, will strive to share throughout their own communities. Seeing your programme, I am of the view that the principles of the ‘BE BEST’ are not just limited to the US but can be found throughout the world. The school exemplifies that promoting values of kindness, compassion and respect can bring out positive change within your communities,” she told a group of students and teachers who gathered within the premises of the school to patiently listen to their guest from America.
Melania visited the school early today and interacted with the students and teachers for around 30 minutes, while her husband President Donald Trump held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House near India Gate.
Wearing a white middy length dress with flowers imprinted in yellow and red, and sporting a red tilak on her forehead, Melania seemed to thoroughly enjoy a cultural programme that was organised at the school in order to entertain the visiting guest.
Upon her arrival at the school, the First Lady of the US was welcomed with a bouquet by a girl student and was greeted with an ‘arti thali’.
Trump attended ‘Happiness Classes’ at the school as a part of which students are taught various activities including meditation, street plays, basic obedience aimed at reducing anxiety and stress levels among children.
The first classroom she visited was decorated with paintings and the board read – “Welcome First Lady Melania Trump into the treasure of books.”
On being prodded by a teacher, the kids said ‘Namaste’ to which the tilak-bearing Melania replied with folded hands. She was seen enjoying the session smiling as teachers interacted with students and also narrated stories.
In another class, the kids were brimmed with excitement as Melania interacted and shook hands with them. The First Lady also witnessed children performing Yoga asanas.
Trump then came to another class, where the board read – “We welcome First Lady Melania Trump to our Happy World” – and a painting of trees was named “Gratitude Wall”. The gates too were decorated with various paintings and had the words “Welcome to Happiness Class” inscribed over them.
Before leaving, Melania was also gifted Madhubani paintings made by the school children. She was also seen hugging the small children who were dressed in colourful clothes in her greeting.
Trump is currently on a two-day state visit with her husband in India. Earlier today, she took part in the ceremonial welcome of the US President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and then paid a floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi Samadhi at Rajghat. (ANI)
