The Indian embassy in Doha celebrated Saturday the 152nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, on the chancery premises.
It also marks the International Day of Nonviolence proposed by the United Nations in 2007 honouring Gandhi's legacy.
The guest of honour on the occasion was Dr Jaber al-Noaimi, founder and chairman of Newton Schools.
The programme began with floral tributes paid to Gandhi by Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal and Dr al-Noaimi.
Singers from Platform Doha sang some of the favourite *bhajans (devotional songs) of Mahatma Gandhi.
Dr al-Noaimi shared his experiences and association with Gandhian philosophy and how it influenced him during his school and college days to appreciate the power of non-violence and the true meaning of revolution.
He added that his interest in Gandhi had helped him learn about India and proudly called himself a spiritual citizen of India.
Dr al-Noaimi also shared his love for old Hindi movies, especially, 1957’s *Mother India, and surprised the audience by singing a few lines of a Hindi song from the same movie.
Dr Mittal stressed that Gandhi’s life has been his message and how Indians have been drawing lessons from it.
He delved on the importance and relevance of Gandhi’s ideals even today, recalling his way of living in harmony with environment in a sustainable manner.
While talking about Mahatma Gandhi's principles of empathy and interdependence, the envoy commended the role the Indian community has been playing throughout the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, including the provision of medical aid, urgent repatriation, and the provision of food.
He also appreciated the Indian community’s initiative under the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) to present gifts and essentials for the displaced Afghan people in Doha.
Dr Mittal explained how the ICBF’s initiatives, such as medical camps and insurance, are in line with Gandhi’s guiding principle of helping those in need.
The ambassador added that Gandhi’s *charka (spinning wheel) and *khadi are symbols of *Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), which is an integral part of both India's and Qatar’s policy of self-reliance.
In this context, he noted that the mutual dependence of India and Qatar for energy and food security brings to light the synergies between the countries.
The event concluded with a video rendition of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite *bhajan *Vaishnava Jan Te, by a Qatar-based singer Ahmed Abdulrahim, shot during the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
There was a dance performance by the students of Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), showcasing some of the Gandhian principles and ideals.
It also marks the International Day of Nonviolence proposed by the United Nations in 2007 honouring Gandhi's legacy.
The guest of honour on the occasion was Dr Jaber al-Noaimi, founder and chairman of Newton Schools.
Dr Jaber al-Noaimi speaking at the event
The programme began with floral tributes paid to Gandhi by Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal and Dr al-Noaimi.
Singers from Platform Doha sang some of the favourite *bhajans (devotional songs) of Mahatma Gandhi.
Cultural performances during the event
Dr al-Noaimi shared his experiences and association with Gandhian philosophy and how it influenced him during his school and college days to appreciate the power of non-violence and the true meaning of revolution.
He added that his interest in Gandhi had helped him learn about India and proudly called himself a spiritual citizen of India.
Dr al-Noaimi also shared his love for old Hindi movies, especially, 1957’s *Mother India, and surprised the audience by singing a few lines of a Hindi song from the same movie.
Dr Mittal stressed that Gandhi’s life has been his message and how Indians have been drawing lessons from it.
He delved on the importance and relevance of Gandhi’s ideals even today, recalling his way of living in harmony with environment in a sustainable manner.
While talking about Mahatma Gandhi's principles of empathy and interdependence, the envoy commended the role the Indian community has been playing throughout the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, including the provision of medical aid, urgent repatriation, and the provision of food.
He also appreciated the Indian community’s initiative under the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) to present gifts and essentials for the displaced Afghan people in Doha.
Dr Mittal explained how the ICBF’s initiatives, such as medical camps and insurance, are in line with Gandhi’s guiding principle of helping those in need.
The ambassador added that Gandhi’s *charka (spinning wheel) and *khadi are symbols of *Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), which is an integral part of both India's and Qatar’s policy of self-reliance.
In this context, he noted that the mutual dependence of India and Qatar for energy and food security brings to light the synergies between the countries.
The event concluded with a video rendition of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite *bhajan *Vaishnava Jan Te, by a Qatar-based singer Ahmed Abdulrahim, shot during the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
There was a dance performance by the students of Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), showcasing some of the Gandhian principles and ideals.
