DISCOVERING FIJI | Uttar Pradesh to Namuaimada

EVERYONE knows George Shiu Raj as an outspoken Rakiraki businessman and former government minister.

What most don’t know is that same George is also the Indo-Fijian namesake of Fiji’s first local Governor-General and the late Vunivalu of Bau, Ratu Sir George Cakobau.

Enjoying privileged connection to one of Fiji’s noblest households is something he holds close to the heart.

It also explains why the descendant of sugarcane farmers worships his familial links to the province of Ra and its indigenous communities.

As Mr Raj likes to put it, “I am a true son of Ra, always, and Ra is in my blood!”

Connected to the vanua

The father of two considers himself a rare breed of Indo-Fijian entrepreneur, one whose business philosophy is peculiarly intertwined with locals.

“My business vision was always to develop my Jerusalem first before venturing out of Rakiraki.

“Compared to other Indo-Fijian businessmen in Fiji I am very unique, that is, in the way I associate myself with the indigenous people and the vanua.”

“I have a heart for them because they are the reason why my family has prospered. Their money grew our business and we lived among them.”

When the indenture ship Sutlej IV sailed into Fiji waters on April 11, 1913, it etched the beginning of George Shiu Raj’s family bloodline in Fiji.

Contrary to what they were falsely promised, work in Fiji was unbearable. However, through the harsh realities of the cruel labour system, his family would eventually carve its own journey to business greatness.

His paternal grandparents, Jinna and Ganpaj Chaudhary, were from Kanpur in India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, and were among the 60,000 girmitiya brought from the Indian sub-continent to work on British colonial cotton and sugar plantations in the South Seas.

They crossed the ‘kala pani’ on the same ship but later met, married and built a life together on Fijian soil.

Settling in Namuaimada

After completing his indenture, Ganpaj and his wife settled in Naria, outside Rakiraki town, where Mr Raj’s father, Shiu Prasad, was born.

Then they moved to Rewasa before eventually setting up what would become the family’s homestead in Namuaimada.

“My grandfather opened up a small shop there which is where our business started and where I was born,” Mr Raj said.

In Namuaimada, Mr Raj and his four sisters immersed themselves in the iTaukei culture, language, and traditions that shaped their early years.

It is believed the family had a special bure where, from time to time, they accommodated Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna when he used to pass through.

But despite the picturesque life in the village, the family faced its share of hardships.

“My parents struggled while I was growing up because their main focus was on farming,” Mr Raj said during an earlier interview he did with The Fiji Times.

During the colonial days, Ratu George Cakobau, as the Roko Tui Ra, befriended Mr Raj’s grandfather, Mr Chaudhary. They became close associates.

“I was still in my mother’s womb, and Ratu George asked if I could be named after him if I were a boy. My grandfather and father were very happy and agreed,” Mr Raj said.

Following his birth, women from Bau and other ladies based at the Ra Provincial Council in Nanukuloa visited Namuaimada to present gifts and acknowledge their paramount chief’s new namesake.

Mr Raj embraces being named after a paramount chief both as an honour and responsibility.

The journey of Rakiraki’s millionnaire

Growing up, Mr Raj often wondered why Vaileka — Rakiraki’s main commercial centre — developed at a very slow pace. His grandfather and father had set up their businesses in the rural areas.

It was his vision to operate differently – conquering the heart of Vaileka when it was his turn to take over the family’s business.

Yet, it was always his fundamental belief to give back to the community that had first catapulted his family to the height of business success.

“I have pride in the people of Ra and the province of Ra. The almighty has given me the privilege, through the wounds of my mother, to be born here. Therefore, it will always been my dream to help develop Rakiraki.”

With this in mind, like respecting the local culture and the values he was brought up to embrace, he has made making a name for himself not too difficult. He was easily accepted by the people of Ra.

Indigenous connection

As unorthodox as he may seem, Mr Raj believes the indigenous population in Ra are intrinsic parts of his accomplishments in life.

“That’s because we have been living side by side for generations There’s no need for envy and suspicion. No matter what race, colour or religion we belong to, Fiji is a multi-racial country and it will always be that way, that diversity is the secret of our success in the region.”

In terms of respect and humility, Mr Raj says indigenous Fijians are number one. The only thing they often lack is business knowledge, skills and attitude.

“They tend to mix business with culture and tradition,” he says.

Mr Raj wants Government to set up strategic business models that would enable Indo-Fijians, Chinese and other races to form and run business partnerships with iTaukei.

“Majority of businesses in Fiji are controlled by Indo-Fijians and minority communities. Please employ and involve a lot of indigenous people in your businesses. Trust them and give them leadership positions. Mentor them on how to do business.”

“If the economic gap is filled, I think there won’t be any space for suspicion and fear amongst the two major races. Fiji would be more peaceful.”

The future

After decades of building his business empire, Mr Raj feels like it’s time to slow down and enjoy the fruits of his labour.

And in anticipation of his exit from direct participation in business, he’s mentoring his children to take over.

“Now I am 64 years old. My son is slowly taking over and my daughter as the financial controller. My son is slowly building up his business rapporteur in town and our family investments can only grow.”

“While they slowly take over I will slip into the background and provide guidance and advice, to keep them focused. We will move to other districts later on, like Nadi and Nasinu, but right now our focus is Ra.”

It’s common knowledge that George Shiu Raj’s wealth runs into the millions. He owns eight properties in town, including two supermarkets and a nightclub.

By next month, his third supermarket and service station will open in Waimicia, a place he believes will be Ra’s second town.

While he basks in the glory of his business success, he likes to remain grounded.

“I am humble about by success. I worked hard 16 hours a day, all my life and my kids worked hard to so the Lord has blessed us.

“I’m a grassroots man. (feels emotional). I don’t boast about myself because when the Lord will calls me he’s going to ask me, ‘what have you done for your people and your country? not how much you have in the bank?”

Advice to Fiji

Mr Raj wants leaders at all levels of society, in church or politics, to refrain from making racial remarks and for fuelling the fire of hate and rancour.

“Let has hold hands and remember what Sai Baba once said “I come to this world not to any faith or religion but make a Christian a strong Christian, a Muslin a strong Muslim, Hindu a strong Hindu. The colour of blood is one , there is only one race – the human race.

“I am not a racist man. I want to love each and every one. That’s always my motto.. Let us unite together and move the country forward.”

His last words were views on the dying sugar industry,

“Our sugar industry will not go down. It will struggle but it shall remain. It just needs a good vision, good government support and good leadership. The private sector is ready to buy the mills and make it profitable.”

“I am still hopeful because I am a sugarcane farmer and my family were involved in sugar before we got into business. I just bought four harvesters, have 12 trucks and two diggers. That shows that I still believe in the sweetness of sugar.”