Plans to set up special centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to propagate Gandhian teachings and principles were announced on Saturday.

The centres have been planned at the Indian Consulate in Dubai and the India Social and Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi.

The announcement was made after a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, India’s Father of the Nation, was unveiled at the Indian Consulate on Saturday.

The two-feet high fibreglass statue of Gandhi was installed on a pedestal at the reception area of the mission. Showcasing Gandhi in a meditating pose, the statue was gifted to the mission by Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, a Gandhi memorial trust in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

After unveiling the statue, Anurag Bhushan, consul-general of India in Dubai, said the world is in need of more Gandhis in these times since it is mired in intolerance pushing humanity to the back seat.

He said: “The life of Gandhi is an inspiration to every human being and his values and message of peace, if imbibed by mankind, can definitely create harmony in the society.” He also announced the plan to set up a Gandhi Bhavan, a specialised centre propagating the values and principles upheld by Gandhi, in the premises of the mission.

The plan is to initially set up a reading room and library consisting books and photographs on Gandhi’s life and philosophy. It may be expanded in future with a museum and other facilities, especially to attract the young generation to learn more about Gandhian values and principles.

Prof G.B. Shivaraju, the secretary of the Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi said this will be the first such initiative in the region.

Indian businessman Dr B. R. Shetty, who was present, said he would help set up another Gandhi Bhavan at the India Social and Cultural Centre (ISC) and a library at the Indian High School in Abu Dhabi. Patron and vice-chairman of ISC, Shetty also proposed the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi to install a Gandhi statue at the mission.

The consulate in Dubai also celebrated the 141st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, popularly known as the Iron Man of India, who played a significant role in the country’s freedom struggle and guided its integration into a united, independent nation.

Cultural programmes and an exhibition of books and photos on Gandhi were also held on the occasion.