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Prominent Indian community member Rohit Patel passes away in Dubai

Abu Dhabi - 76-year-old businessman was one of the guiding forces behind the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi

Rohit Purshottam Patel, 76, a prominent Indian community member and businessman, passed away in Dubai on Thursday morning.

Patel was the chairman of Emirates Transformer and Switchgear, a Jebel Ali-based company.

Patel, a philanthropist, was closely associated with the development of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

He was among the select four-member delegation, including Brahmavihari Swami, to have briefed visiting Indian Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankarabout the upcoming BAPS Hindu Mandir in November, 2020.

Swami, a Hindu religious leader, remembered Patel’s contributions to the community in the UAE and paid rich tributes to the departed soul.

“He was one of the finest human beings and a devout person. He was unshakeable in his faith, devotion and selfless service towards God and humanity. His life will remain a lighthouse for others to follow and honour. Whether it be natural calamities, social services such as supporting the needy tribal children in India or the underprivileged in Vietnam temples or building a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, he was always there all the time.”

“Patel was a family man, a successful entrepreneur, a community leader and a devotee, who was instrumental in the satsang prayer meetings,” Swami said.

“He gained the innermost love and blessings of his gurus Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj and now eternally serves Bhagwan Swaminarayan in Akshardham. Let us pray for him and his family members who are equally devout, loving and faithful. Rohitbhaiwas an immortal soul, whose immortal love and service for God and our guru shall eternally inspire us all. Personally, he was someone whose voice, warmth and memory will never leave me,” he added.

Patel is survived by his sons Chirag and Chirayu.