Football legend David Beckham arrived in Mumbai to a traditional welcome that quickly captured social media attention. The former England captain and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador was greeted with marigold garlands, a customary aarti, and a tika applied to his forehead.
Sharing the experience on Instagram, Beckham expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and revealed a culinary highlight of his trip. "So touched by everyone’s kindness… Thank you for my traditional welcome and Dal Ki Chaat lessons, Making some beautiful memories in Mumbai," he posted, signaling the start of his second visit to the country to champion children's rights and empowerment.
During his time in Mumbai, the Inter Miami co-owner engaged directly with youth from under-served communities at the Cooperage Football Grounds. He played a friendly match with children trained by the Oscar Foundation, an NGO using football to impart life skills, and listened to their stories of overcoming barriers.
Reflecting on these interactions in a UNICEF statement, Beckham emphasized the urgent need for continued support for the younger generation. "I am humbled by the drive, resilience and passion of the children and young people I met today who are fighting for change at an early age and having a say in their future," he said.
"They are truly inspirational and have conquered many challenges to be where they are today. Their journey is an important reminder that we must continue investing in children and young people."
The tour extended to Andhra Pradesh, where students at the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Andhra Pradesh Backward Classes Welfare Educational Institutions Society residential school in Kothavalasa received a surprise visit. Beckham observed project-based learning in action, an initiative supported by Mantra4Change to transform government school classrooms.
He participated in academic discussions, visited the library, and joined the girls for a sapling plantation drive. Documenting the visit, he remarked in a video, "As you can see, today, I am going back to school," later adding, "It has been a really great day, and we had so much fun."
The visit concluded with a lively 'one-touch' football drill on the school grounds, leaving a lasting impression on the students and staff. P Madhavi Latha, Secretary of the institution, noted that his presence was a "beautiful reminder that when we work with the right intent and dedication, extraordinary things can happen."
Santosh More, Co-Founder of Mantra4Change, stated that the visit served as a "powerful signal that innovation in our government schools matters" and strengthened the resolve to make such learning the norm across the state.