Abu Dhabi Crown Prince plants sapling at Rajghat, continuing 3rd-gen UAE tradition
Emirates' 3rd Generation Leadership Strengthens India-UAE Relations with Tree Planting at Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khalid Continues UAE Legacy by Planting Sapling at Rajghat
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday became the third generation of the ruling family of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to plant saplings at Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial.
In 1992, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first president of the United Arab Emirates, planted Aldas or Cassia fistula saplings in Rajgat during his visit to India. His son and current president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, continued the tradition by planting molshri or mimusops elangi saplings in Rajghat in 2016.
On Monday, Sheikh Khalid planted an Amaltas sapling, adding further strength to the legacy. This is the first time in the history of Rajghat that three generations of leaders from the same country have planted trees to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, officials said.
They said the move reflects the deep-rooted and growing relationship between India and the UAE.
“In Mahatma’s footsteps for a greener planet: Continuing a historic legacy, His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, today planted a sapling at Rajghat, highlighting the India-UAE sustainability link and Mahatma’s global teachings,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir. Jaiswal said in a post on X.
The sustainability partnership forms a key pillar of the multifaceted relationship between India and the UAE.
Sheikh Khalid observed a minute’s silence and laid a wreath at the memorial, paying tribute to the “father of Indian independence and his remarkable contributions to the development of the country”.
He also looked after the trees planted by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
Sheikh Khalid expressed pride in the brotherly bonds shared by the two countries and said joint efforts to foster development would strengthen bilateral ties and benefit both communities.
In his message in the guest book. Sheikh Khalid wrote: “Mahatma Gandhi will always remain immortal in the hearts of his people and the entire world for his sacrifices in promoting the values of love and peace. Similarly, our founding father Sheikh Saeed instilled these same noble values throughout the world through generosity and humanitarian action.
Rajghat is a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, with a black marble platform marking the spot where he was cremated on January 31, 1948 following his assassination. It is customary for visiting Heads of State and Government to plant saplings in the compound.
Since 1950, foreign dignitaries and VVIPs have planted 200 saplings during their visits to Rajgad. Dignitaries include Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Chairman Leonid Brezhnev.
