Abu Dhabi: Indian officials and community members paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary on Sunday at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
“Gandhi was the most prominent NRI [non-resident Indian] in history. He had started his struggle from South Africa against discrimination [and many other evils],” said Neeta Bhushan, Charge d’Affaires at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
His struggle was not only for India but also for world peace. Gandhi’s teachings are still relevant today, which can help make India and the rest of the world prosperous, she said at the event jointly organised by the embassy and the Indian Consulate in Dubai.
The event also celebrated the 112th birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, former Indian prime minister.
Speaking to Gulf News, Anurag Bhushan, Consul General of India in Dubai, said Gandhi inspired many NRIs to contribute to India while living away from the homeland. “This is my experience also.” He said many NRIs in the west and the UAE [and elsewhere] sincerely work for the society, especially for the Indian community at large. They are committed to India, regardless of the number of years they have been away from the country, he said.
The gathering witnessed the livestreaming of the inauguration of Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, a facility in New Delhi for the Indian diaspora, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Brain drain can be converted to brain gain. Let us view our diaspora not only in terms of numbers but let us see it as power,” Modi said.
“The world’s keenness to engage with India has grown. In such times, ‘fear of the unknown’ can be an obstacle. Our diaspora can help overcome this,” he said.
The facility will act as a focal point for networking between India and its diaspora, and benefit over 27 million NRIs and People of Indian Origin all over the world.
It is a tribute to the overseas Indian community and commemorates their migration to various parts of the world, the challenges they faced abroad, their achievements and contributions, according to the government of India.
The facility will help overseas Indians, who have been away from the country for long time, to trace their roots, Neeta Bhushan told Gulf News. If someone submits the name of his or her village or town, the centre can help trace their relatives, ancestral property, etc, with the help of officials, she said.
Diplomats and prominent Indian community members left floral tributes before the picture of Mahatma Gandhi.
“The world has realised that Gandhi’s ideals offer solutions to many of its problems. But, unfortunately, Indians themselves often forget Gandhi,” said V.T.V. Damodaran, president of Gandhi Sahitya Vedi in Abu Dhabi, an organisation for promoting Gandhi’s life and ideals among children.
Schoolchildren sang Gandhi’s favourite devotional and patriotic songs at the ceremony attended by a large number of community members.
