Dubai: A prominent Emirati singer Yasser Habeeb has sung one of the most beautiful renditions of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite devotional song called Vaishnav Jana To.
A video clip was played at an event today celebrating 150 years of Gandhi’s birth, which falls on October 2.
The UAE represents a miniature of India’s diversity, a senior official said. “In 2018, our diversity somewhat resembles a miniature version of India’s. People from some 200 countries live and work together peacefully in the UAE,” said Shaikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance, at an event in the capital.
He was addressing a gathering as the chief guest at a ceremony to launch yearlong celebration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the Indian Social and Cultural Centre (ISC) in Abu Dhabi, organised by the Indian Embassy in association with the ISC and Gandhi Sahitya Vedi.
“The diverse elements of our population has gained new energy from their interactions with others in global society. By welcoming the world to the UAE, the late Shaikh Zayed [Bin Sultan Al Nahyan] acted in accord with Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that “No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive,” Shaikh Nahyan said.
“We are fortunate that this celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary is coinciding with Shaikh Zayed’s centenary celebrations. Although fifty years separate their birth, many of their thoughts and actions are remarkably similar,”he said.
The Gandhi-Zayed digital museum that is being finalised will graphically reveal how two visionary leaders shared same principles and values, Shaikh Nahyan said.
A short film on the message of Gandhi was screened.
Shaikh Nahayan and Navdeep Singh Suri, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, released a set of seven commemorative circular postage stamps on Gandhi as a tribute to the great leader.
Emirati singer Yasser Habeeb is also a banker. Vaishnav Janto promotes peace, tolerance and understanding
The song was also sung across the world on October 2 to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.
The translation to the lyrics of the song are:
One who is a Vaishnav (Devotee of Vishnu)
Knows the pain of others
Does good to others
without letting pride enter his mind.
A Vaishnav, Tolerates and praises the the entire world.
Does not speak ill of others
Keeps his promises, actions and thoughts pure
your mother is blessed indeed.
A Vaishnav sees everything equally, rejects greed and avarice
respects women as he respects his own mother
though his tongue may tire he will utter no untruth
Never touches the property of others.
A Vaishnav does not succumb to worldly attachments
he has renounced lust of all types and anger
The poet Narsi will like to see such a person by whose virtue,
the entire family gets salvation.
