Sanjay prepares for the final ride
FOR Sanjay Dutt, being a business owner and hearse driver for more than 10 years now has been a fulfilling experience for his family.
Mr Dutt is the director of Grace Funeral Services located in Toorak, Suva.
He hails from Vanua Levu where his journey first started before moving to Suva with his family more than 11 years ago.
While initially receiving skills on air conditioning maintenance after certain stages of certification from university, he joined a funeral company in 2012.
This first job allowed him to gain knowledge and experience in funeral arrangements.
"This included the skill of making coffins and assisting in other funeral services transporting family's loved ones to and from the hospital to their homes and final burial places," he said.
After several years of service to his previous employer, his passion for this service grew stronger and he decided to create a venture of his own in the same nature.
Like any other business owner after its establishment last September, he needed to make an important decision – and that was to give his business a proper name.
"Since opening last year, business has been growing."
He said the name Grace came to mind and for Sanjay's religious beliefs as a Christian, he knew that best suited his new business venture.
He says it feels good to be able to provide this service to families on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu as part of closures when their loved ones die.
"Being part of people’s journey during their time of sorrow has been fulfilling. This most simple service of providing transport during funeral offers comfort."
Sanjay oversees the transporting of bodies from the morgue to their homes and to their final burial and resting place to ensure there are no hiccups.
He said this was an important task and he always ensures his vehicle is in its best condition to provide a peaceful ride for the dead.
In the business, they use a Toyota Wish — a car that manages the duty of transporting someone to their homes for the final time.
Sanjay said the spacious vehicle allows him to safely transport the deceased in their coffin.
He said their vehicle has a total space of two and a half metres that caters for different coffin sizes.
The requirements for a hearse driver includes having a group two license. Sanjay encouraged fellow Fijians and especially youths to chase their dreams.
"Chase your dreams," he said.
He said from when he started working for a funeral company, be believed he would be able to open a business of his own.
Through hard work and determination, that dream became a reality and Sanjay's journey is a testament that if one can do it you can too.
According to the starcarwash.com website, these are some simple ways to look after your rides.
Keep car clean
It's recommended that you wash your car every two to four weeks depending on factors such as the weather, how frequently you drive, and how often your windshield gets dirty.
Check engine oil
Despite what the dashboard indicators may display, it's wise to check your engine's oil levels regularly.
A car's engine oil is vital to its functioning, and problems with the engine oil can lead to serious and expensive vehicle damage.
Check tyre pressure
Tyre deflation is also a safety concern that can cause poor vehicle handling or damaged tyres.
Check lights
Make it part of your regular car maintenance routine to check the function of all your vehicle's lights, including indicator lights, reversing lights and fog lights.
Check car battery condition
Performing a regular battery inspection is important to keeping your car both safe and functional. A quick visual inspection and cleaning of your car's battery at least once a year will prolong its life and ensure your car's optimal performance.
Change windshield wipers
Maintaining the highest level of visibility on the road is vital to keeping you and other drivers safe. Any time your windshield wipers display visible damage, it's crucial that you replace them.
Get car regularly detailed
While a regular car wash simply cleans your car, a car detailing removes blemishes and tough stains, restores paint work, and revitalises the interiors.