Gopal Krishna Naidu’s daughter motivated him to strive for bigger and better things in life and it’s because of her that he has ventured into business and is reaping the rewards.
The 55-year-old native from Lovu in Lautoka is a businessman, selling quality Lillydale eggs at an affordable price from the Lautoka Municipal Market. He has a tale to relay.
“My life has all been through choppy seas. My dad was a cane farm labourer. I had three other sisters and I’m the second eldest. It was quite an ask for my poor dad to educate all of my siblings. Being the only son, I ultimately sacrificed my desire for a quality education so that my sisters could actually get educated,” he said.
Life took an ugly twist for the former Lovu Sangam School scholar in 1985.
“Severe tropical cyclones Eric and Nigel destroyed the two-bedroom corrugated iron and timber family dwelling. I was living in a tent for five years with my two sisters and parents. There was no proper sanitation and we were using pit toilets. I was 14 years of age at that time. That was one experience which made me realise what poverty means,” he recalled.
The wrath of mother nature made Mr Naidu a resilient person.
“I started doing odd jobs to assist my dad in providing a decent meal for the family. I started working as a shop assistant for Deoji Footwear where I remained for 14 years. I was getting $2 a day when I started. I also learnt how to repair shoes because my interest to attain valuable knowledge is never ending. I always possess a positive attitude despite any trials or tribulations I’m faced with,” he said.
The opening of a shoe factory in the Sugar City paved the way for Mr Naidu to further harness his new skills albeit with a better wage rate.
“The Forum Shoes Company commenced operations in Lautoka City in the early ’90s. I started off at entry level and with my experience and passion towards my work, I steadily climbed the ladder to the position of a supervisor marshalling more than 200 employees in a shift.”
The closure of Forum Shoes Company did not deter Mr Naidu from fetching a decent living.
“The closure of the footwear company made me ponder the future. I had saved enough money and with just a couple of hundred dollars I ventured into selling meat birds by the roadside at Lovu during the weekdays and at the Lautoka market on Saturdays. I used to buy the chicks from Crest chicken.”
Mr Naidu was happily married by that time with a beautiful daughter who later motivated him to quit his chicken selling business.
“My daughter asked me a question of what I was going to do when I grew old, had fallen teeth with wrinkled skin. I started scratching my head. She was the one who suggested to me to engage in the egg selling business from the market.
“I was a bit popular also because so many people knew me by then. I listened to her and I have never regretted that decision. I started with $400 and I own one stall.
“My egg selling business has been going on for the last five years. The money is great. Although it was a bit difficult initially in liaising with a steady egg supplier, I have managed to grasp the basics of doing this business.
“I deal with Popo’s Egg Supplies and Baulevu Farms. Both the egg suppliers are based in Nausori. My daughter is the sole reason for the success of my business.”
Most intriguing is the fact that Mr Naidu has a great comrade whom he trusts with his life.
“I have never stopped reading The Fiji Times since I was 14 years old until today.
The Fiji Times is an essential part of my life.
Because of this newspaper I have attained my education despite dropping out at Year 8 from Lovu Sangam School.
My most trusted friend is The Fiji Times,” he proudly proclaimed.
