Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announces during a meeting with Narendra Modi
Venkat Raman
Auckland, February 20, 2024
Bilateral relations between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in general and Dubai in particular took another leap on February 14, 2024 when the Emirate’s Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced a donation of land to construct a hospital for Indian workers.
Shaikh Rashid, who is also the Vice-President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the UAE announced this during his meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dubai on February 14, 2024.
Mr Modi was on a two-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates during which he inaugurated the multimillion-dollar BAPS Swaminarayan Temple and addressed a 60,000-strong Indian Diaspora.
Affordable Healthcare
Mr Modi was in Dubai on a short visit to address the delegates attending the World Governments Summit held at the Dubai Municipality Conference Centre and Arena.
A Press Trust of India report said that the Dubai initiative aims to provide affordable healthcare for the large Indian workforce, strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing their living conditions.
More than 1.5 million people of Indian origin live and work in the Emirate of Dubai which has a total population of about 3.31 million.
Hong-Kong-based BNN Breaking said that the proposed Indian Community Hospital is a testament to the strong bilateral ties between India and the UAE.
“The project envisages the provision of affordable healthcare facilities for the large number of Indian blue-collar workers in Dubai. This initiative, a first of its kind, is set to redefine the healthcare landscape for the expatriate Indian community in the region. This is a gesture of goodwill expressed by Shaikh Mohammed,” the BNN report said.
Mr Modi expressed his gratitude, describing this as a significant gesture.
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Promoting Indian welfare
“This is a reflection of the deep friendship between our two nations,” he said and emphasised the long-standing relationship between India and the UAE. The decision to allocate land for the hospital is a major step towards enhancing the welfare of the Indian Diaspora in the UAE,” he said.
BNN said that the Indian Community Hospital will cater primarily to the healthcare needs of the Indian blue-collar workforce in Dubai.
“With a focus on providing affordable and quality healthcare, the hospital is expected to alleviate the financial burden often associated with medical care in a foreign land. This initiative is anticipated to bring about a significant improvement in the living conditions of these workers, thereby contributing to their overall well-being and productivity,” it said.
Shared Heritage
Earlier, speaking at the inaugural ceremony of BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Abu Dhabi, Mr Modi said that more than a place of worship, the new, stone structure is a symbol of humanity’s shared heritage.
“It embodies the mutual affection between the peoples of Bharat and Arabia and reflects the spiritual dimension of Bharat-UAE relations. I commend the BAPS organisation and its members for this remarkable achievement. I express my admiration for the devotees of Hari. Temples have been erected worldwide by the members of the BAPS organisation, under the guidance of our revered sages,” he said.
Mr Modi said that spiritual leaders of the BAPS Swaminarayan have paid meticulous attention to Vedic intricacies, matched by a modern outlook.
“The Swaminarayan Sanyas tradition exemplifies how one can embrace the modern world while adhering to ancient principles. Everyone can learn valuable lessons from your organizational prowess, systemic efficiency, and sensitivity towards each devotee. All of this is a manifestation of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s grace. I offer my humble obeisance to Bhagwan Swaminarayan on this momentous occasion. Congratulations to all of you and all the devotees in the country and abroad,” he said.
Mr Modi described the current phase of India’s growth as ‘Amrit Kaal,’ which also marks a golden era for our faith and culture.
“Just last month (January 22), the age-old dream of a magnificent Ram temple in Ayodhya was fulfilled. Ram Lala now rests in His abode, and the love and emotion this evokes continue to reverberate throughout Bharat and among every Indian.
“Today, the United Arab Emirates has etched a new golden chapter in human history. A grand and divine Temple is being inaugurated in Abu Dhabi, marking the culmination of years of hard work and fulfilling a long-standing dream. The blessings of Lord Swami Narayan are intertwined with this momentous occasion,” he said.
About BAPS Swaminarayan Abu Dhabi
The BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi in the UAE is a traditional Hindu Mandir built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921–2016).
Consecrated by Mahant Swami Maharaj on February 14, 2024, this is the first Hindu traditional mandir to undergo complete digital modelling and seismic simulation.
In 1997, Pramukh Swami Maharaj envisioned a Mandir in Abu Dhabi and in August 2015, the UAE government announced that it would provide the land for the Temple.
UAE President (then Crown Prince) Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan gifted 27 acres of land for the Temple. In September 2019, the Project gained legal status and construction commenced in December 2019.
The Temple has been constructed using pink sandstone from northern Rajasthan and with marble from Italy. It stands 108 feet tall, 262 feet in length and 180 feet in width.
More than 200 volunteers from the UAE, Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, India, and the Gulf dedicated more than 690,000 hours towards its construction.
BAPS Swaminarayan serves as a symbol of interfaith harmony, representing the religious background of India and the UAE. It also represents their good relations to foster understanding, acceptance and unity among people of different religious faiths.
Accordingly, the carvings in the Temple incorporate stories from the Ramayana, Shiva Purana, Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, and the lives of Hindu figures, as well as stories from Arabian, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Native American, and other civilisations.
The Temple complex includes the traditional Hindu Temple, a Visitor Centre, Prayer Halls, exhibitions, learning areas, a sports area for children, thematic gardens, water features, a food court, and a books and gift shop.
This is the third Hindu temple in the UAE after the first and second temples were built in 1958 and 2022 in Dubai.
