Meet the Indian expat serving the needy for 50 years in UAE

Abu Dhabi - He has helped create schools and community associations.

Bava Haji Pandalingal is your vintage classic watch in the digital age. He is old school, traditional yet liberal and his unmatched workmanship make him a gem of a person.

The 76-year-old resident has completed 50 years of social work in the UAE and on the way helped create schools and community associations. In 2013, he was awarded for his service with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman - the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians by the government of India.

Bava Haji hails from Malappuram district of Indian state of Kerala. Being the eldest of 11 siblings, he had big responsibilities on his young shoulder before arriving in the UAE.

"I finished my diploma in engineering and soon entered my first job with construction works of Rourkela Steel Plant in Odhisha state. After two years, I worked in Kochi Refinery and petrochemical firm in Mumbai," he said.

Looking for better opportunities, he came to the UAE at the age of 25 years. "My experience helped to bag a job in five days. It was in 1994 that I started my own firm Rapid General Contracting," he said, adding that starting his own firm helped him give more time for social work. He recollected that his engagement with society started in 1960s by helping jobless people in Odhisha and it continues till date.

"I have supported jobless, poor patients, those with visa and passport issues, paid for expenses for marriage, helped with repatriation of bodies and played my part in assisting community during the Gulf War."

Haji has been instrumental in creation of community associations in Abu Dhabi.

"I was among the founding members of Malayalee Samajam and Kerala Social Centre. Later we formed Indian Islamic Centre (IIC)."

Bava Haji is the longest serving president of Indian Islamic Centre - arguably the longest term held by any community leader in the UAE. He also played key role in opening schools - Abu Dhabi Indian School, Model School and Indian Islahi Islamic School. "We started Al Noor Indian Islamic School under IIC for the poor and economically-backward but it was a villa school and shut in 2014."

It was all these deeds that led to Bava Haji being awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

Despite his strong bond with the UAE, he is planning to return to India.

"There is no substitute for India. I came with a five-year target but now it is 50th year."

Bava Haji and wife have four children - three girls and a boy. "Helping others should be done with passion. We should do all work sincerely. It is the most important quality to have in life," he added.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi
• India