151 saplings to be planted in UAE to mark Gandhi's 151st birth anniversary

Dubai - The Indian community will observe all events adhering to Covid-19 safety measures, said the Indian mission in Dubai.

A total of 151 saplings will be planted across Sharjah to mark the 151st birth anniversary of global peace icon Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2.
Besides, the Burj Khalifa will pay a special LED tribute to India's 'Father of the Nation'. A slew of other events are also planned to commemorate the occasion in the UAE, including a cleanliness campaign. Drawing, debate and essay writing competitions for schoolchildren are being held too.
The Indian community will observe all events adhering to Covid-19 safety measures, said the Indian mission in Dubai.
Gandhi Jayanti celebrations began in the UAE two years ago to honour 150 years of Gandhian principles. The two-year celebrations will culminate with festivities this year, said Neeraj Agarwal, Consul - Press, Information, and Culture at the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
Tree plantation
A tree plantation drive will see the planting of 151 saplings all across Sharjah. "This event is being organised by the Indian People's Forum in collaboration with the Consulate. The first sapling will be planted in the girl's section of Sharjah Indian School at 8.30am. Following which, saplings will be planted in various locations across the emirate," Agarwal said.
"School students from 15 Indian curriculum schools are participating in a debate and essay writing competition. "We are also organising a drawing competition for junior school students," added Agarwal.
Burj Khalifa to light up with Mahatma tribute
For the third consecutive year, the Burj Khalifa will pay a special LED tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Friday, making it the highlight of this year's events. Agarwal told Khaleej Times images of the iconic Indian freedom fighter will be displayed on the Burj Khalifa at 8pm.
"The special show on Burj Khalifa will begin at 8pm and it will be live-streamed on the Consulate's social media channels. We are thankful to Emaar for their support," said Agarwal.

The Indian mission in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, community groups, and Indian curriculum schools in Dubai have already launched celebratory programmes for the occasion.
Agarwal said" "Due to the pandemic, celebrations are low key this year. On the Consulate premises, consular staff and officers will participate in a cleanliness drive on Friday."
Online Gandhi Katha
On Tuesday, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi organised an online Gandhi Katha, a narrative on the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi by Dr Shobhana Radhakrishna, an international speaker. Commenting on the online event on social media, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor said: "What a nice way to learn about the life and teachings of Bapu and how relevant they are even today!"
The programmes were live-streamed across various school campuses, including Abu Dhabi Indian School in Al Muroor and the branch campus in Al Wathba. The Embassy said: "(We) appreciate the enthusiasm shown by students of various Indian schools in Abu Dhabi to learn about the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi."
Over the last two years, the UAE had also officially joined the programmes to honour Mahatma Gandhi. Commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of UAE's Founding Father Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a Zayed-Gandhi Digital Museum was launched in Abu Dhabi.
In 2019, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second visit to the UAE, special postage stamps were released by him and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. A bust of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at the Indian Embassy in UAE, while a cycle rally and a walk for peace were also organised.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com 
 

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