GANDHI LIGHTS UP BURJ KHALIFA
India’s Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi’s image and thoughts are projected on the Burj Khalifa in Dubai on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary on Tuesday.
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dubai — Marking the 150th birth anniversary of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, as well as celebrating the Year of Zayed, the Indian High School (Oud Maitha), along with Indian Consulate and Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), paid a green tribute to the legendary leaders of both the countries.
The Indian High School (IHS) students and dignitaries including Vipul, Consul-General of India to the UAE; Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director-general of the KHDA; and Sunil Umrao Singh, chairman of the IHS, planted 250 saplings in the school grounds. Of the 250 saplings, 100 were planted in the name of the founding father of UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, marking his centennial birth anniversary while the rest of the saplings were planted for Mahatma Gandhi, celebrating his birthday on October 2, which is marked as the UN International Day of Non-Violence.
Students from around 20 other schools also participated in planting the saplings. As part of the celebrations, Vipul, Dr Abdulla Al Karam and Sunil Umrao Singh released 250 balloons (100 in the colours of the UAE flag and 150 in the colours of the Indian flag) and six doves (sign of peace) as part of the celebrations.
Students then ushered the dignitaries in the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium by singing the national anthems of both India and the UAE.
Welcoming the guests, Singh said: “We are gathered here to give a tribute to two great leaders of the world, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan and Gandhi, for their efforts have influenced not only their countries but the whole world.”
Talking about the idea of planting saplings, Singh said: “This is because both these leaders loved nature and were great environmentalists. Sheikh Zayed’s efforts turned the desert green, while Gandhi was known for his love for the environment.”
Dr Karam said: “Both these great leaders we are celebrating today lived in their countries in times of great change and growth and both are known for their great work and humility. They valued their roots. Sheikh Zayed lived a very modest life and loved watching the sun set while sitting in the desert. On similar lines, I remember an incident of Gandhi where a man asked him while on a train, ‘why do you always travel third class and Gandhi answered because there is no fourth class’.”
Vipul said: “We remember our iconic leaders Gandhi and Sheikh Zayed not only for what they did for our countries but also for what they taught us about environment and sustainability. Apart from sustainability, there is much that can be said about teachings of Gandhi. He fought against racial discrimination, apartheid, slavery and colonialism. And he fought all this not using violence but truth and nonviolence,” he said.
“Similarly, Sheikh Zayed worked for tolerance, peace and progress and this can be witnessed best here in the UAE.”
Both these great leaders we are celebrating today lived in times of great change and growth, and both are known for their great work and humility. They valued their roots.”
Dr Abdulla Al Karam,
director-general, KHDA