President Gül Receives Children to Mark Children’s Day

President Abdullah Gül received Minister Nabi Avcı of National Education; Deputy Minister Orhan Erdem and teachers and students from the counties of Ankara at the Çankaya Presidential Palace on the occasion of the April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.

Expressing his happiness at meeting with the children, President Gül pointed out that this day was given to all children of the world as a gift by Atatürk, the founding father of the Republic of Turkey.

When the President asked one of the children visiting him to say something about the occasion, the student named Beyza Nalçakar from Etimesgut Nimet Bahri Kutluözen Secondary School underscored that the leaders, statesmen and artists of the past were children like them today. “Today’s children are the potential leaders and people of the future who will raise further our country’s level. I wish all children health, peace and well-being.” Beyza, when the President asked what she would like him to do for her, said that if the President could visit her school, she would be very happy.

Sharing his pleasure at observing the self confidence all the children have, President Gül suggested that they should always be resolute in life and that they read a lot, focusing on important and useful things rather than keeping themselves busy with trivial things.

When asked whether he could spend enough time with his children, President Gül said that he has neglected his family while making tireless efforts for all the children in the country, after all he noted “this is a destiny of politicians, isn’t it?”. He further maintained that every now and then, he used to find notes from his children on his desk in his study, which read ‘dear dad, we wish that you would spend time with us.”

Not everyone can do whatever they have dreamed of in life, added the President as a response to another query about whether there is something that he has not accomplished even if he has wanted to achieve. He further suggested that they should be realistic at the same time while trying hard to reach their goals through honest means in life. “People cannot get everything they want. Therefore, they must not be obsessive about that. This is a way to be happy indeed. Take becoming President, for example. Only one person will be elected after some procedures, although many people can wish to become one. What would others who have not attained their goals in this regard do? Therefore, we must always act honestly and realistically. Thank God, I have achieved most of the things I have dreamed of in life.”

As for Minister Avcı, he pointed to the teachers in his delegation and introduced Mehmet Uğur Ayhan, who he said took care of one of his students in Adıyaman, 8 year-old Filiz Uğur, who cannot move her hands, feet, even fingers. After her teacher’s great interest and concern, the Minister continued, Filiz can now read and write and even walk. President Gül, noting that he has read the story in newspapers, expressed his happiness to meet with Mehmet Uğur Ayhan and congratulated him on his examplary success.

The President, afterwards, had a memoir photo taken with his guests and gave presents to the children.

All News