Washington: Pushing Americans to live a healthy life-style, First Lady Michelle Obama has told young people to "keep moving, be healthy" as she welcomed them to the White House Easter Egg Roll that included a yoga session.
Welcoming thousands of people in the White House lawns, she said: "Overall, we want you guys to have a good time and keep moving and be healthy. And kids, eat your vegetables, OK?"
Through a draw of lots, the White House invited 30,000 people from across the US for the day-long fun thrilled Easter celebrations with the theme, "Be Healthy, Be Active, Be You!"
A special "yoga Garden" was created at the White House on the occasion, where professional instructors led by Leah Cullis gave lessons on Yoga to the visitors.
"Yoga has become a universal language of spiritual exercise in the United States, crossing many lines of religion and cultures. Every day, millions of people practice yoga to improve their health and overall well-being," the White House said.
Speaking on the occasion, Michelle said, "It`s great to have everyone here this morning. We are so excited. The Easter Egg Roll is the biggest event that we have here on the South Lawn of the White House each year. Today we`re going to have more than 30,000 people who will pass through this yard in celebration of nutrition and health and activity."
Michelle in 2010 launched Let`s Move!, a campaign to bring together community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads in a nationwide effort to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity.
Welcoming the guests, US President Barack Obama remarked on the good weather.
"It is wonderful to see all of you. I just want to say welcome. You guys brought the great weather. It was a little shaky this morning, but all of you did a great job sending a message upstairs, and now we`ve got beautiful weather," he said.
According to a White House official, this was the 135th annual Easter Egg Roll with more than 30,000 people visiting the South Lawn for games, stories, and, of course, the traditional egg roll.
"Souvenir White House Easter eggs first became an annual keepsake in 1981, when President and Mrs Ronald Reagan hosted a hunt for wooden eggs that bore the signatures of famous people," the official said.
This year`s special guest is Robby Novak, better known as Kid President.
A number of sport stars worked with children in the "Eggtivity Zone" including America`s eminent field hockey player Ajai Dhadwal, the only Indian-American among the several dozen talent line ups announced by the White House.
PTI
