Donald Trump, Melania Visit Sabarmati Ashram, Try Hands At Spinning Charkha

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania on Monday tried their hands at spinning the ‘charkha’ (spinning wheel) at the Sabarmati Ashram. Accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi, the US president and his wife went around the Ashram, before resuming the roadshow from the airport to the Motera stadium. The US President was briefed about Gandhiji and the importance of charkha as a symbol of self-reliance. “To my great friend Prime Minister Naredra Modi, thank you for this wonderful visit,” Trump wrote in the Ashram visitors’ book.

Donald Trump, on board the special Air Force One aircraft along with his delegation reached Ahmedabad at 11.37 am for the first leg of his India visit. Trump is accompanied by First Lady Melania, daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and the top brass of his administration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the Sardar Valabbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad to welcome the US President.

“To my great friend Prime Minister Naredra Modi, thank you for this wonderful visit,” Trump wrote in the Ashram visitors’ book.

In Ahmedabad, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a mammoth crowd of more than 1,00,000 people at an event titled 'Namaste Trump' at the Motera Stadium. "Namaste, Trump" will be on the lines of the "Howdy, Modi!" event organised for PM Modi during last year's US visit.

The event will "showcase India's rich and diverse culture... few parallels in India or elsewhere", foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.

The US President and the First Lady will make a brief stop In Agra where they will visit the Taj Mahal, before arriving at the national capital for the main leg of the 36-hour long trip. On the morning of February 25, the US President will first receive a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan as per protocol. From there, he will go to Rajghat to pay homage at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.

This will be followed by both, restricted, and delegation-level talks between Trump and Modi at the Hyderabad House in the national capital.

(With PTI Inputs)