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Melania gets her dose of happiness at Delhi school

Last updated on: February 25, 2020 14:21 IST

Excited students dressed in traditional attire welcomed United States First Lady Malania Trump as she arrived at a Delhi government school in south Moti Bagh area on Tuesday to attend a session of the 'Happiness Class'.

IMAGE: US First Lady Melania Trump being welcomed during her visit to a government school to witness various activities as part of the happiness curriculum, in New Delhi. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo

Sarvodaya Co-Educational Senior Secondary School was decked up with floral garlands and motifs to welcome the US First Lady.

Floral rangolis were also drawn at multiple places in the school and a student band welcomed her playing bagpipes.

 

As soon as she entered, lensmen scurried to get a perfect shot. The children welcomed the US First Lady by applying 'tika' on her forehead. She was also handed over a bouquet after which she lit the ceremonial lamp.

She proceeded to take a tour of the school and also attend a session of the 'Happiness Class'.

IMAGE: Children dressed in colourful saris and ghagra cholis put a tika on the forehead of US First Lady Melania Trump to welcome her to Sarvodaya Co-Educational Senior Secondary School. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

Before her arrival, children were seen rehearsing outside the gate of the institution. Massive security was also put in place for her visit.

Ahead of her arrival, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had tweeted to welcome her.

IMAGE: US First lady Melania Trump talks with children at a school in New Delhi. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

"@FLOTUS will attend happiness class in our school today. Great day for our teachers, students and Delhiites. For centuries, India has taught spirituality to the world. Am happy that she will take back the msg of happiness from our school," Kejriwal said.

SEE: US First Lady Melania Trump interacts with students at Delhi government school

 

The children were dressed in bright-coloured sarees and traditional attire like ghagra-choli to welcome Melania Trump. Some of them were carrying bagpipes and other musical instruments.

IMAGE: Melania attends a Happiness Class in the school. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo

"Welcome to our school @FLOTUS! We hope you would have a great time here in #HappinessClass It's just 18 months old initiative but early results have made us confident that @HappinessDelhi is the ultimate solution to all violence & hate in mindsets that we are facing worldwide," tweeted Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio.

In another tweet, he said, “It’s a proud moment for my Team Education of Delhi today. All are excited to see @FLOTUS in one of our school. She just visited 'room to read' now she would move for #HappinessClass and then address the kids in assembly."

IMAGE: The 'Happiness Class' was started by the Aam Aadmi Party in 2018. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo

Kejriwal and Sisodia were to welcome Melania at the school and brief her about rationale behind introduction of the 'Happiness Classes' as well as the Delhi government's overall reform initiatives in the education sector but the US embassy had later communicated to the city administration that their names do not figure in the list of invitees for the event.

The 'Happiness Class' was started by the Aam Aadmi Party in 2018. As part of the programme, students are taught various activities, including meditation, street plays, basic obedience and aims to reduce anxiety and stress levels among children.

IMAGE: US First Lady Melania Trump hugs a school girl during her visit to the government school in New Delhi. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo

Following her visit to the school, US First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday said she was inspired by the Happiness Curriculum.

"Thank you for welcoming me. This is my first visit to India. People here are so welcoming and kind," she said.

WATCH: Melania enjoys folk dance performance by schoolchildren

She said it is "very inspiring" that students begin their day with practising mindfulness and connecting with nature".

"A healthy, positive example has been set for educators to ensure a promising future," she said.

Students of Sarvodaya Co-education Senior Secondary School gifted Madhubani paintings made by them to US First Lady Melania Trump.

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