The US First Lady Melania Trump, dressed in a floral white gown, got a first hand experience of a happiness class being conducted in Delhi government schools as she visited Sarvodaya (Co-Ed) Senior Secondary School, in South Delhi’s Moti Bagh.

“I feel very relaxed,” the First Lady said when school children who were ecstatic about the high-profile visit asked about her experinece after attending the happiness class.

To her question how they felt about the class, the children in unison said “very good”.

She asked the students about how do they feel after the attending happiness classes and received a reply “Very Good”. Then it was their turn to ask about her thoughts after attending the session and she said “I feel very relaxed”.

During the happiness class, the gratitude note that she wrote read:

“Family, friends, freedom

You and your teachers

For your beautiful welcome”

“The highlight of her visit to the happiness class was that she participated with the students rather than being a mere observer,” said Manu Gulati, who works as a mentor-teacher for Delhi government schools.

When Melania arrived at the school, little girls, dressed in colourful lehengas, welcomed her in a traditional manner with floral garlands. Apart from waving Indian and US flags, the students entertained Melania by dancing to the tunes of Rajasthani and Punjabi songs and playing a band during 45 minutes-long visit to the Delhi government school.

Besides attending happiness class, she also went around to see activity room and room to read where she listened to a story on stage fear along with the students. “She (Melania) told the students that next time they should try taking deep breaths before going on to the stage,” said Deepa, the primary teacher, who read out the story.

Happiness curriculum

Happiness curriculum was introduced by the Delhi government in 2018 for the students from Nursery to Class 8. The aim of this curriculum is to develop self-awareness and mindfulness among learners and also inculcate skill of critical thinking and inquiry in them.

The curriculum includes teaching students meditation, street plays and basic obedience.

The First Lady also runs BE BEST initiative whose objective is to teach children the importance of social, emotional and physical health. The campaign focusses on three pillars: well-being, online safety and opioid abuse.

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