Rashtrapati Bhavan in all its grandeur hosts the Trumps
A state banquet was hosted for US President Donald Trump at the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday night with its forecourt decked up to its glory for the last engagement of his twoday visit to India.
The architectural marvel, spread over 130-hectares, was lit up for Trump and his wife Melania were given a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt, which has a mixture of pink and cream sandstones.
As the Presidential Bodyguards lined up on the stairs leading to the Durbar Hall, Trump, who was received by President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita, were taken to the hall where the visiting dignitary took a round.
The banquet was attended by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several of his ministerial colleagues, four chief ministers — Sarbananda Sonowal (Assam), Manohar Lal Khattar (Haryana), B S Yediyurappa (Karnataka) and K Chandrashekar Rao (Telangana).
Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, Wipro founder Azim Premji, banker Kotak Mahindra, musician A R Rahman besides others also attended.
Later, the Kovind and Trump, along with their spouses posed for a picture before a 5th century statue of
Gautam Buddha. It was followed by official talks during which Kovind said importance of the Indo-US relations could be gauged from the fact that a large number of people came to welcome him.
“The US is a valued friend and India is deeply committed to the strategic partnership between the two countries,” Kovind said in his opening remarks.
US First Lady Melania Trump virtually turned into a student herself on Tuesday in the “Happiness Class” at a Delhi government school here, joining the children in meditating, storytelling and other relaxing activities, and noted that the unique curriculum has set a “healthy and positive” example for educators.
Excited students dressed in traditional attire welcomed Melania as she arrived at the Sarvodaya CoEducational Senior Secondary School at Moti Bagh in south Delhi.
A smiling Melania joined the students in three classrooms, where she was briefed by the teachers, and interacted with the children, before enjoying boisterous dance performances by the youngsters.
‘How big is America’, ‘Is it very far’, ‘What do you do as the First Lady’, ‘What is your favourite cartoon” were among the few questions asked by the curious kindergarten students.
“I am feeling very relaxed,” she said after the brief meditation as part of “mindfulness” activity of the ‘Happiness Class’.