Indian-origin banker quits high-paying job to serve as volunteer at UAE temple

Indian-origin Investment Banker Quits Job in Dubai to Serve at BAPS Abu Dhabi Temple

Dubai, Feb 26 (IANS) – Vishal Patel, a 43-year-old Indian-origin investment banker, made headlines last year when he decided to leave his high-paying job in Dubai to become a full-time volunteer at the BAPS Abu Dhabi temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month.

Vishal, a second-generation expat from Gujarat brought up in London, had been working with the Dubai International Financial Centre and had held positions at prominent investment banks and hedge funds, as reported by The Khaleej Times.

Expressing his deep connection with BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha since childhood, Vishal mentioned that the Mandir in London had been a guiding light in his life, stating, “Supporting this (Abu Dhabi) Mandir allowed me to make a meaningful impact on society and engage in endeavors that contribute to the greater good. This opportunity was too significant to pass up.”

Actively involved in the temple’s construction process, Vishal is now the chief communications officer at the temple, overseeing media relations and strategic communications. He revealed that there are more volunteers like him willing to give up their jobs to serve at BAPS Sanstha.

“After graduating with a degree in economics from the University of London, Vishal was struggling with finding employment, and a breakthrough came while volunteering at the BAPS Mandir in London,” the Times reported, emphasizing the positive impact of the Mandir on young minds.

The BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi, the first Hindu temple in the Gulf nation with a cost of Rs 700 crore, was inaugurated on February 14, further solidifying the friendship between India and the UAE. Prime Minister Modi praised the UAE for its generosity, stating that the country has won the hearts of 140 crore Indians.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, donated 27 acres of land for the temple during PM Modi’s visit in 2015 and 2019, symbolizing the strong ties between the two nations.

The dedication of volunteers like Vishal Patel highlights the deep-rooted impact of BAPS Sanstha on individuals and communities, fostering a spirit of service and unity.