58 years in business Still hardworking at 72
BEING truthful and hardworking are values that Shiu Chandra has lived by for most of his life.
Born and bred in a farming community in Votualevu, Nadi, the 72-year-old runs a grocery outlet called D.S Chandra Shop, near the Votualevu Public School.
But that achievement did not come easily. He had to work hard for it.
“I was born in a large family, where I had six brothers and a sister,” he said.
Mr Chandra’s childhood was spent taking part in many sporting activities, however, as he grew older and found employment, he started to realise the importance of hard work.
“That put some sense in me. I learned that one should achieve something in life and not spend time wandering without a purpose.
“I studied up until Year 8. Unfortunately there was no high school in our community in those days and my family’s financial condition did not allow me to further my studies.”
Mr Chandra’s first job was as a hotel gardener. He worked his way up to the position of cook before resigning to look after the shop.
“When Hurricane Bebe struck in the 70s, our store was known as T G Desai. It got damaged during the cyclone so our family bought the property.
“Initially, it was me and my brother who ran the store but he went on to focus on the sugarcane farming business — which was thriving at the time.
“He (brother) eventually got married and moved with his family to his farm and I looked after the store on a full-time basis.”
Mr Chandra said they reconstructed a new store in 1994 in the hope of improving the business. It was his daily routine to be up by 5.30am everyday, cleanup the store before opening for business.
“Business was good back in the days but a lot has changed in the past 58 years and despite bigger supermarkets having more dominance in the market, I get by with my grocery shop.
“There are a lot of people residing in the village and rural areas and we used to make enough sales. Now people prefer to buy groceries and other things from supermarkets.
He credits his good health and long life to his eating habits.
“For as long as I can remember, I have always had fruit before every meal.
“I believe the main secret to long life is eating good food on time. I have my breakfast before 7am, lunch at sharp 12pm and dinner at 6pm and I also drink a glass of water before going to sleep.
“I work for nearly 15 hours daily, closing the store at around 9pm.”
Mr Chandra operates his shop with help from his wife and son.
I have always had fruit before every meal...
Shiu Chandra