Hanging a law degree on the wall to pursue a career in the bus industry isn’t something one would find ideal. But for Niraj Singh, 20, putting his law qualifications in the back burner is something he does not regret.
In fact, you would probably understand more of his move to do this if you knew his background.
Niraj is the son of Jasper Singh, the owner of Shore Buses Ltd. Eversince he can remember, Niraj has always helped in the family business — after school, during school holidays and on the weekends.
In February he took this even further when he started driving a bus, the Suva to Qauia route. Every day since then, Niraj says he has been driving a bus when he finds time away from his studies.
He recently graduated with a law degree and next year for four months, he is expected to undergo an attachment program which will enable him to practise law in court.
“But I don’t think I will do that, my heart is in the family business,” Niraj said.
“I can’t leave work and practise law. My law degree is something I can lean back on in case something happens. But for now I will hang my law degree on the wall and work in the bus business.”
This is a sacrifice he is willing to make, to honour the sacrifice his grandfather and parents have done for the business.
“I always think back to how my grandfather started off, they started with just three wooden buses and what we have now is all because of his hard work.
“I just can’t leave the business and go. My brother has a post grad as well but we’ve all hung that on the wall — the bus business comes first.”
He enjoys what he does. In fact, he takes pleasure in driving a bus because according to him, he can help change people’s lives and bless them.
“I was scared at first because it’s not like driving a car. When you drive something big with passengers, you can’t just think of yourself but everyone’s lives that are travelling in your vehicle.
“I also have to set a standard — I drive carefully, I wait for the passengers to sit down before I start moving again, and any disabled or elder person that travels in my bus, I do not charge them any fare.
“I do this because of my Christian beliefs, in the Bible it says to respect my elders and I give them that blessing, it might not be a lot but it’s something that I can do for them.”
His day starts before 5am.
By that time, members of the family in the family business have to be in the office, setting an example for their employees. They are the first ones to arrive and the last people to leave.
“I drive a bus from Monday to Saturday, but on Sunday I keep it holy.”
With his father slowly stepping away from the family business, 90 per cent of decisions now rests on Niraj and his brother. And it’s a responsibility they take very seriously.
“It’s not an easy job. A lot of people don’t understand the bus industry — they get frustrated when the buses don’t come but behind the scene, it’s a struggle.
“I have dad here supporting us and mum with her continuous spiritual guidance. We have to have trust and unity in a family because you can have an empire but without these two, the empire can collapse.
“My brother and I discuss things together. We think things over carefully that will not only benefit the company but the people of Lami as well.”
