Dubai: The Consulate General of India, Dubai, in association with theKarnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi unveiled the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the India Consulate, Dubai in a grand ceremony.
Consul General of India, Dubai H E Anurag Bhushan along with other dignitaries and hundreds of Gandhi followers unveiled the Gandhi statue by lighting the traditional lamp.
Speaking to the gathering Anurag Bhushan said, “The world needs more Gandhis in present days as it is mired in intolerance pushing humanity and brotherhood to the back seat. India is the only country where people are self-motivated to sacrifice for peace. Sardar Patel and Gandhi were strong leaders who could lead the countrymen to unity. We have learnt about wars in books but the lessons always teach us to be people of peace. The life of Gandhi is an inspiration to every human being and his values and message of peace if imbibed by mankind, can definitely create harmony in the society”. He expressed joy for getting an opportunity to unveil the statue of the man who led the freedom fight for India and is known as the Father of the Nation.
Bhushan also announced that a Gandhi Centre will be functional in the Consulate to promote the true essence of Gandhi values to the visitors.
Chief of NMC Hospitals Dr BR Shetty said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was spreading the values of Gandhi to the whole world during his global visits. He assured to take an initiative to unveil statues of Mahatma Gandhi in the Indian Social Cultural Centre and Indian School at Abu Dhabi.
Gandhians Shivaraju, Narayanswamy and Vemagal Somashekhara analysed the values of Mahatma Gandhi in the present context and urged the gathering to live in humility and peace. They exhorted the gathering to strive towards making the world Ramarajya as dreamt by Gandhi. Yogi Dixit also expressed his views on Sardar Vallabhai Patel and his connection with Mahatma Gandhi which, he said, had created a new revolution in the freedom struggle of India.
The main attraction of the function was elocution by children on Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhai Patel. Their views received grand applause from the audience. Also children presented dance performances based on Gandhi’s visions.
Mementos were presented to Consul General and other guests by Gandhi Bhavan, Bengaluru as a token of gratitude. The sponsors of the programme were also feted. Director of Fortune group of Hotels Praveen Shetty, president of Abudhabi karnataka Sangha Sarvottam Shetty, director of Woodlands hotel Devesh Alva, MD of Reliable fabricators James Mendonca, chief of Merit Frieght shipping Joseph Mathias and many community leaders of Karnataka were present during ceremony.
Deepak Somashekhara delivered the vote of thanks and the programme concluded with the singing of Vande Matataram.
Shivaraju, Secretary of Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Bengaluru; Vemagal Somashekhara, historian and Gandhian; Narayan Swamy, CLD officer of Gandhi Bhavan, Bengaluru and organisers of the event Sadhan Das and Mohan were also present on dais.
