By KALYANI VASAN
LOS ANGELES, CA - Bhindi Jewelers needs no introduction to the Indian-American community of Los Angeles -- their jewelry showroom in `Little India’ on Pioneer Boulevard has been a landmark for many decades. The Bhindi family, which consists of three brothers and seven children, run the Bhindi Jewelers enterprise with...
LOS ANGELES, CA - Bhindi Jewelers needs no introduction to the Indian-American community of Los Angeles -- their jewelry showroom in `Little India’ on Pioneer Boulevard has been a landmark for many decades. The Bhindi family, which consists of three brothers and seven children, run the Bhindi Jewelers enterprise with...
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three stores in California and one in Atlanta. While the family’s jewelry business is familiar to the public, their philanthropy has largely remained private. Vinod K. Bhindi speaking with IJ had this to say, “My late father, Karsanji Bhindi, always advocated service to others. Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. I firmly believe that every genuine, altruistic act is one worth doing. With that being said, my family and I are tremendously proud to announce our plans for an unprecedented and groundbreaking squatter resettlement program helping the Vatuwaqa squatters in Fiji.”
The Bhindi family has undertaken a massive project as nearly 300 squatter families living in the informal settlements of Nanuku and Veidogo in Vatuwaqa, Suva will be relocating to Makoi.
The squatters currently live in subpar mock-homes that do not protect them from the elements or health ailments as they lack basic amenities. The area is a wetland and gets flooded during Fiji’s heavy monsoons.
In conjunction with the Attorney General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, the Bhindi family will begin relocation efforts. The project will entail subdividing 25 acres of land in Makoi into 300 lots that will have all the necessary infrastructure for resettlement and development. The approximate cost of developing the site in Makoi will be in excess of $10 million. The Bhindi family has confirmed that they will completely fund this project. This is the first initiative and resettlement project of its kind that attempts to improve the quality of life and living standards of the squatters.
Vinod K. Bhindi elaborated on the project with India Journal:
Q. How did the idea of relocating these suffering families come about?
A.This is my dad’s dream coming to fruition here. He always wanted to help the most vulnerable populations of Fiji. My siblings and I were born and raised in Fiji and we felt it was our duty to give back. I took the lead on the project and bought 25 acres of land in a prime area located in Makoi, Suva and created 300 lots for 300 extended families,about 2,500 people altogether. Every family will be given a block of land on lease for 99 years. This will enable them to get financing from banks and other mortgage lenders to build homes.We are the first family to help resettle these squatters. We are also giving each family $1,000 towards moving expenses because they do not have the resources to move. The Fiji Government is also giving a grant of $15,000 per family towards building costs. Squatters will have access to water, electricity, and garbage collection. The development will also feature sealed roads and sewage systems, and even a greenbelt, allocated to the squatters for farming to support their livelihood.
The Bhindi family has undertaken a massive project as nearly 300 squatter families living in the informal settlements of Nanuku and Veidogo in Vatuwaqa, Suva will be relocating to Makoi.
The squatters currently live in subpar mock-homes that do not protect them from the elements or health ailments as they lack basic amenities. The area is a wetland and gets flooded during Fiji’s heavy monsoons.
In conjunction with the Attorney General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, the Bhindi family will begin relocation efforts. The project will entail subdividing 25 acres of land in Makoi into 300 lots that will have all the necessary infrastructure for resettlement and development. The approximate cost of developing the site in Makoi will be in excess of $10 million. The Bhindi family has confirmed that they will completely fund this project. This is the first initiative and resettlement project of its kind that attempts to improve the quality of life and living standards of the squatters.
Vinod K. Bhindi elaborated on the project with India Journal:
Q. How did the idea of relocating these suffering families come about?
A.This is my dad’s dream coming to fruition here. He always wanted to help the most vulnerable populations of Fiji. My siblings and I were born and raised in Fiji and we felt it was our duty to give back. I took the lead on the project and bought 25 acres of land in a prime area located in Makoi, Suva and created 300 lots for 300 extended families,about 2,500 people altogether. Every family will be given a block of land on lease for 99 years. This will enable them to get financing from banks and other mortgage lenders to build homes.We are the first family to help resettle these squatters. We are also giving each family $1,000 towards moving expenses because they do not have the resources to move. The Fiji Government is also giving a grant of $15,000 per family towards building costs. Squatters will have access to water, electricity, and garbage collection. The development will also feature sealed roads and sewage systems, and even a greenbelt, allocated to the squatters for farming to support their livelihood.
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