During the president’s state visit to India, first lady Melania Trump took time to stop by a school in New Delhi that specializes in a “happiness curriculum.”
On Tuesday, the first lady visited a government school in India’s capital that focuses on mindfulness as a core part of the curriculum. During the visit, she joined students as they did yoga and performed a bhangra dance.
First lady Melania, who sported a red tilak dot during her visit, called the school’s curriculum “inspiring.”
“It is very inspiring to me that the students here begin each day (with) mindfulness. I cannot think of a better way for all of us to start our day,” she said.
The “happiness curriculum” was a product of the left-leaning Aam Aadmi Party. Schools implemented the practice in 2018 as part of an effort to increase mindfulness as students worked on storytelling and drawing.
Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi and a member of the Aam Aadmi Party, welcomed first lady Melania’s visit, tweeting, “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 [message] of happiness from our school.”
The first couple has been traveling through India as part of their first state visit to the country. The first lady said she adored her time abroad, adding, “This is my first visit to India, and I cannot express how delightful it is. The president and I are grateful to be guests.”
First lady Melania has been working in education as part of her “Be Best” campaign to end bullying, especially online harassment. She described her campaign, saying, “It concerns me that, in today’s fast-paced and ever-connected world, children can be less prepared to express or manage their emotions and oftentimes turn to forms of destructive or addictive behavior such as bullying, drug addiction, or even suicide.”