On Monday, Crown Prince Khaled Bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi became the third generation of the UAE’s ruling family to plant a sapling at Rajghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
This tradition began in 1992 when Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and first president of the UAE, planted an Aaaltas (Cassia Fistula) sapling at Rajghat during his visit to India. His successor and current president, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, continued the legacy by planting a Molshri (Mimusops Elengi) sapling at the same location in 2016.
Crown Prince Khaled’s gesture involved planting an Amaltas sapling, marking the first time in Rajghat’s history that three generations from a single country have honored Mahatma Gandhi in this way. This act underscores the deepening relationship between India and the UAE.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the significance of the event, noting the alignment with Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings and the India-UAE sustainability partnership. “In the footsteps of the Mahatma for a greener planet, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, planted a sapling at Rajghat today, underscoring our shared commitment to sustainability and Gandhiji’s universal values,” Jaiswal wrote on X.
During his visit, Sheikh Khaled observed a moment of silence and laid a wreath at the memorial, paying tribute to Gandhi’s contributions to India’s development. He also attended to the trees planted by his father and grandfather, reinforcing the UAE’s longstanding respect for Gandhi’s legacy.
In his guestbook message, Sheikh Khaled reflected on the enduring impact of Mahatma Gandhi and Sheikh Zayed’s shared values of peace and generosity, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration between India and the UAE.
Rajghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated on January 31, 1948, has been a site for foreign dignitaries to plant saplings since 1950. Notable past visitors include Queen Elizabeth II, former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev.
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