Lal Looks Forward to Celebrate Fiji Day
At 83, Raman Lal is among the oldest businessmen in Labasa Town. Originally from Gujarat, India Mr Lal started his photography business- Raman’s Studio in 1968.
He came to Vanua Levu at the age of 10 with his parents who were businesspeople at Levuka, Ovalau.
Interest
His interest in photography was born when he took his first photo using a Mamiya camera while being a Year Six student at Sacred Heart School in Levuka.
“I can still remember when Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna came to my school and I took photographs of his Fiji’s independence speech and my photo was published in the newspaper,” Mr Lal said.
“That’s when I realised the ability, I had to start a business to help other Fijians to keep photos as pieces of memory.”
Married to Hem Lata, who also came from Gujarat at the age of ten to Savusavu, the couple managed to open their shop beside Majestic Theatre, where RB Patel Supermarket is situated now.
He was the second person in Labasa Town to set up a photo studio.
Today his shop is located at the RB Patel arcade.
The father of four children has 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
To date, he goes to the shop to work with his wife along with a staff from Monday to Saturday.
Fiji Day
He has no major illness and is eagerly looking forward to Fiji Day on October 10, to celebrate with his wife.
“I have a lot of memories as I took photos of Queen Elizabeth the second, former President Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau and Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara,” he said.
“When Queen Elizabeth came to Labasa I was among other photographers taking photos.”
For more than 50 years Mr Lal maintained the business name and ownership.
He is happy to stay in Fiji despite making numerous trips to India for visits.