An early morning in a Chilean school located on the outskirts of the capital city of Santiago usually sees little children gathering for morning prayer till they join voices to eulogise the Indian national anthem. It's a piece of India which is revisited every morning in 'Republic De La India' (Republic of India), a Chilean municipal school where the students pay homage to the nation of a billion people through the Indian national anthem they sing during morning prayers.

This was one of the most important engagements of President Pratibha Patil [Images], currently on a three-day state visit to the Latin American country, who visited the school.

It's an important day for class three students  as it was the visit of the Indian President, the first by an Indian dignitary in four decades. The magic of sweet smiles did not leave the President untouched, who broke all security barriers to mingle with the children and  get photographed with them.

The 73-year-old Patil was seen summoning the Presidential photographer to get herself clicked with these children -- a gesture which saw many dimples glowing on the cheeks of the students.

Before the President's speech, the children sung the Indian national anthem in unison as their morning prayer -- a ritual before the academic day begins. And to join them was the President, her husband Devisingh Shekhawat and other members of the Indian delegation. The radiant smile on the face of the President was indicative of the happiness she felt with the small children.

With an annual grant of US $ 1250 from India, the school was  gifted a 'Smart Blackboard' by the President who said: "It is indeed wonderful that we have been able to create this beautiful bridge connecting the young minds of Chile with India. I am deeply committed to the cause of education and for me it is a matter of great satisfaction, therefore, to inaugurate the Science Laboratory for the students of this school,' she said while opening the laboratory which has been named after first Indian prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

India's Ambassador to Chile Sushmita Gonguly Thomas is in search of a dance teacher as the school has expressed a desire to teach Indian classical dance forms.

Image: President Pratibha Patil interacts with children at the Republic De La India School in Santiago .

Photograph: Rashtrapati Bhavan [Images]