Indian National Congress (INC) president Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 11 and 12, arrived in Dubai in the early hours of Friday.
According to Gulf News, in a tweet, the INC wrote the Congress leader will be interacting with Indian communities – the Indian overseas community, the student community, and NRI, as well as UAE’ vice president and prime minister.
On the first day of Rahul Gandhi’s Dubai visit, he was welcomed by the workers of Jebel Ali labour colony with a magnitude of love and immense cheer. He was greeted with loud cheers & an abundance of love & admiration at his address to the labour community in Dubai. It took a great start when Gandhi interacted with the Indian people in the region.
Gandhi also interacted with the Punjabi community in Dubai. Gandhi then had a meaningful interaction with the members of the Indian Business and Professional Council in Dubai, where he met with prominent UAE businessman BR Shetty.
Chairman of the group BR Shetty said, “We are holding a luncheon meeting in Abu Dhabi for 200 people and also there is a public meeting at ISC in the evening.”
The Congress president met with UAE’s vice president and prime minister in order to discuss continues relations between both countries in the 21st century. Later, senior Congress leaders Milind Deora and Sam Pitroda joined Gandhi at his meeting with UAE’s VP and PM. Vice president & prime minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammad presented Gandhi with copies of his books after their meeting, along with senior Congress leaders.
In a tweet on Friday, Gandhi wrote: “When I met Your Highness Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE, I experienced humility. Great nations are built with that kind of humility.”
When I met Your Highness Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE, I experienced humility. Great nations are built with that kind of humility: Congress President @RahulGandhi #RahulGandhiInDubai pic.twitter.com/e2zW32nKga
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 11, 2019
Gandhi tweeted: “This evening I had an excellent meeting with the Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE, @HHShkMohd, the architect of modern Dubai. The bonds between India & the UAE have stood the test of time. I am committed to helping build an even stronger relationship between our countries.”
This evening I had an excellent meeting with the Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE, @HHShkMohd, the architect of modern Dubai. The bonds between India & the UAE have stood the test of time. I am committed to helping build an even stronger relationship between our countries. pic.twitter.com/RsvCGSM521
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 11, 2019
Later, Gandhi visited the Dubai international cricket stadium, where the place was jammed due to Indians waiting for Gandhi to arrive. He addressed Indian diaspora at the stadium in Dubai.
Himanshu Vyas, secretary of All India Congress Committee told Gulf News, “The theme of the stadium event is ‘Gandhi 150 years: The idea of India’.”
Gandhi tweeted: “When I drive through UAE, I see your energy, blood, and sweat. You have helped build this nation, and I feel proud that you have played your part with dignity, togetherness, and tolerance.”
When I drive through UAE, I see your energy, blood and sweat. You have helped build this nation, and I feel proud that you have played your part with dignity, togetherness and tolerance: Congress President @RahulGandhi #RahulGandhiInDubai pic.twitter.com/P2Jrhfm7PY
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 11, 2019
Gandhi continued tweeting: “The values that bring together the people of UAE and India are humility and tolerance; tolerance for different ideas, religions, and communities. I’m sad to say that back home it is four and a half years of intolerance.”
The values that bring together the people of UAE and India are humility and tolerance; tolerance for different ideas, religions and communities. I'm sad to say that back home it is four and a half years of intolerance: Congress President @RahulGandhi #RahulGandhiInDubai pic.twitter.com/7HRc0v7BeE
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 11, 2019
Gandhi also addressed NRIs in Dubai; He tweeted: “Without the help of the NRIs, it would be impossible for India to be where it is today. In the last century, when we stood up and fought the British, the fight was led by an NRI called Mahatma Gandhi.”
Without the help of the NRIs, it would be impossible for India to be where it is today. In the last century, when we stood up and fought the British, the fight was led by an NRI called Mahatma Gandhi: Congress President @RahulGandhi #RahulGandhiInDubai pic.twitter.com/AAj9D5CEm1
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 11, 2019
Referring to the development and growth in India, Gandhi said, “Single biggest problem that we face in India today is unemployment. We need to take this head-on. We need to show the rest of the world that not only we can beat unemployment but we can also challenge China.”
Gandhi, in a tweet, claimed: “We can never run a country like India believing that only one idea is correct and all others are wrong. Today, my beloved country India is being divided for political reasons,” and said, “Every single Indian, irrespective of where they live, is responsible to bring India together once again. We have to say enough.”
Gandhi tweeted: “The values that bring together the people of UAE and India are humility and tolerance; tolerance for different ideas, religions, and communities. I’m sad to say that back home it is four and a half years of intolerance.”
The values that bring together the people of UAE and India are humility and tolerance; tolerance for different ideas, religions and communities. I'm sad to say that back home it is four and a half years of intolerance: Congress President @RahulGandhi #RahulGandhiInDubai pic.twitter.com/ZY68wqgPJU
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 11, 2019
On the second day of his visit to Dubai, Gandhi will interact with the student community. Gandhi arrived IMT Dubai where students were filled with excitement and began his interaction. The student from across the UAE gathered at IMT Dubai for an engaging and spirited interaction with Congress president.
In his speech at IMT Dubai, Gandhi said, “’Brain Drain’, was a 20th-century idea. In the 21st century, people are more mobile and go where real opportunities are. One should make sure that your country provides opportunities.”
Referring to healthcare and banking system, Gandhi said, “Healthcare is a huge opportunity for India in global perspective. We are sitting on the biggest genetic resources on the planet and that is what cure & medical health is going to be about in next 10-15 years,” adding, “We need to reshape banking system so that SMEs can get financial resources so that they can scale up to become large companies.”
Chairman & Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare Dr Azad Moopen said, “Indians in UAE are looking forward to the imminent visit by Mr Rahul Gandi… Of late, he has become a mature and seasoned politician who is addressing the crucial issues facing the country. His impeccable integrity and highly secular outlook endears him to many, who see him as a future Prime Minsiter of India. He is very well placed to strengthen the strategic relationship between India and UAE nurtured by his father, grand mother and great grand father who were all past Prime Ministers of India.”