Walk for Peace to mark Gandhi event

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

A Walk for Peace and Tolerance will be organised on Wednesday to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which falls on Oct.2.

The walk will be followed by a number of programmes in Dubai and Northern Emirates, which will be organised by the Consulate General of India in Dubai, in association with local community organisations, government departments and various authorities such as Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Municipality.

Addressing the media in Dubai on Sunday, Consul General Vipul announced that the Walk for Peace and Tolerance will begin at 6am at Zabeel Park, Dubai. The walk will be followed by a 4km race around Zabeel Park, Dubai. A brief session of Gandhi Bhajan and meditation will also be held outside Gate No.4 of the Zabeel Park, Dubai.

Later in the day, school children will participate in painting and debate competition hosted by the consulate. To mark the occasion, various schools in Dubai and Northern Emirates will also organise workshops for students to assemble solar study lamps. The consulate will distribute 200 solar kits free of costs to different schools.

Consul General Vipul will be visiting the Sharjah Indian School (Boys wing) to encourage and witness students who will be assembling solar kits. More than 1,000 students are expected to participate in solar lamps assembling.

The day will end with a community gathering at the Consulate where the community will pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

“We sincerely look forward to large participation in the events lined up to commemorate the occasion not only from Indian nationals but from different nationalities to show solidarity to the principles of peace, non-violence and tolerance, the principles for which both India, UAE and the world at large striving for in current times,” he said.

On Friday, the Consulate General of Indian and the Indian Association Ajman will jointly organise a Cycle Rally which will start from Indian Association Ajman’s new complex from 8am. Consul General Vipul will flag off the rally.

Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai will hold a programme on Oct.5 to commemorate the occasion. IBPC President Nimish Makvana said, “We have learnt a lot from Gandhiji. Since this is a crucial time across the globe, we must implement in our lives the values taught by Gandhiji to spread peace, patience and happiness around us.”