US First Lady Melania Trump (Photo Credit: PTI)
New Delhi:
A day ahead of Donald Trump's visit, the US Embassy said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia were dropped from Melania Trump's visit to a Delhi government-run school event to ensure that the focus remains on education and students. The US First Lady is scheduled to visit a school that runs the Delhi government's 'happiness curriculum'.
"While the US embassy had no objection to the presence of the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, we appreciate their recognition that this is not a political event and that it is best to ensure that the focus is on education, the school, and the students," said a US Embassy spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Sunday that he and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would have loved to receive US First Lady Melania Trump at a Delhi government school she's scheduled to visit but he respected the concerns raised by US Embassy over it.
Sisodia, who is also Delhi's education minister, said it is a matter of pride for his government that the US first lady will visit a government-run school.
"Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and I would have loved to personally receive the First Lady in the Delhi Govt school and brief her about the concept of Happiness Classes and the positive impact that it has had on students, during her visit to the classrooms," Sisodia said in an official statement.
"However, certain concerns were expressed by US embassy regarding CM and Deputy CM accompanying the first lady during the school visit. We respect the same. We welcome the first lady wholeheartedly and will do our best to facilitate the tour," he added.
With PTI Inputs
