Motibhai Group Newsletter May 2021 Issue

MAY, 2021 #70

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News From Motibhai Group

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Down the memory lane Steps that built a great business empire....

NINETY-years-ago, three very young and enterprising brothers who hailed from Gujarat in India opened up a small grocery shop in the interiors of Fiji’s soccer crazy town, Ba. What many at the time may not have realised is that one day the same business with its humble beginning in Kumkum would soon become a household name in Fiji.

Welcome to the humble beginning of Motibhai Group – a multifaceted business house which has its roots all the way in Ba. While today there are no stores or offices operating out of Ba with all remaining properties now on rent, the memories of their childhood remains fresh in the minds of the second generation directors – many of whom are still associated with the company to date.

“My uncle Motibhai Becharbhai Patel who was the first to visit Fiji was later joined by my father Prabhudas and uncle Parshottamdas and together they were able to secure a piece of land from a very friendly landlord named Jang Bahadur Singh in Kumkum, Ba,” Deputy CEO Manu Patel recalls.

He said life in the village was totally different from that of urban areas.

“We used to swim in the river, graze our cattle and ride our horses and all that experience was totally different from our urban lifestyle these days.”

While these steps are what remains of the humble beginning of Motibhai Group in Kumkum, Ba, it is a great reminder of how great journeys begin with a few simple steps. INSET: Jang Bahadur Singh, the friendly landlord who gave the Patel brothers a little piece of land to build their first store. Photos: COURTESY OF SHAWN SINGH KAJLA OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

Unilever presses on in the battle against COVID-19

As the world’s biggest soap-making company, Unilever is throwing their weight behind global and national efforts to protect lives and livelihoods from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shortly after the World Health Organization characterised Covid-19 as a pandemic, Unilever introduced a set of measures to support global and national efforts to help tackle the spread of Covid-19.

These included contributing €100 million through donations of soap, sanitiser, bleach and food, and making available €500 million of cash flow relief for small and medium sized suppliers and customers.

The company is also helping fund a hand washing programme that has already reached many corners of the globe.

Being the world’s largest hygiene campaign, Unilever aims at tackling the spread of Covid-19 and has already reached one billion people around the world.

The company which manufactures hygiene products such as Lifebuoy soap and Domestos bleach has also helped train 140,000 staff, including community health workers and teachers, to deliver hygiene skills, including deep cleaning of public buildings and effective hand washing.

Motibhai Group marketing manager Abraham Gomes says the company is proud to be the principal distributor of Unilever in Fiji and together they have rolled out special deals with participating supermarkets to ensure that the people of Fiji have access to quality

hygiene products at the best market prices available to combat the global pandemic collectively.

Bake moments into memories in this lockdown Many people have turned to baking to keep busy and raise their spirits during the lockdown. It’s a fun way to keep the children entertained, even if they sneakily help themselves to the chocolate chips when you’re not looking, and is very rewarding when the whole family gets to dig-in to a tasty cake fresh out of the oven.

“Betty Crocker is a cultural icon and is part of families’ traditions and get together. She has been a trusted source of flavoursome recipes and homebaking

know-how for 100 years. With a delicious cake guaranteed every time, Betty enables families to focus on what really matters, spending quality time together baking or enjoying a sweet treat,” Motibhai Group marketing manager Abraham Gomes says.

“Whether you prefer to keep it simple and use a Betty Crocker cake mix, follow an old family recipe passed down through the generations or make it up as you go along, try to make the most of this lockdown with your family.”

Get an opportunity to win like a King !

Burger King launches timely promotion in partnership with Coca-Cola amid movement issues

With the current outbreak of Covid-19, the management of Burger King are encouraging customers to act on the various instructions issued by the health authorities.

“Given the current scenario, it is much safer for customers to order via the food delivery service options we have in place as a safety measure while also having the opportunity to enter the draw on our special promotion,” BK Fiji general manager Akash Narsey said.

All you have to do is purchase any Burger King product together with range of Coca-Cola refreshing beverages from our delivery partners Fiji Eats or Cyber Foods and go into the draw.

The promotion is available at Burger King Martintar, Nakasi and Ganilau House Suva restaurants.

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Motibhai Group director Rajesh Patel, centre, receives a token of appreciation from Fiji Cancer Society president Makrava Wilson while company executive Jinesh Patel looks on during the special morning tea event at the Suva office on April 14, 2021.

Cancer fundraiser marks 15th anniversary

What began as a humble gesture of nobleness 15-years-ago has today become the biggest fundraiser and awareness drive for the Fiji Cancer Society.

The prestigious Bushells Fijis Biggest Morning Tea (BFBMT) campaign which started way back in 2006 in a very small way has over the years helped save the lives of thousands of cancer patients around the country by providing crucial patient care and support while creating awareness and advocacy on cancer at the same time.

While this year’s campaign has once again been affected by the global pandemic which has literally brought the world down on its knees, the principal sponsors of the

initiative, the Motibhai Group were able to host their own morning tea event to raise the necessary funds for the society on April 14 last month prior to the lockdown and strict movement protocols which are currently prevailing in the country.

“We would like to thank each and every one of you for taking out your precious time to join us and to have tea with us this morning,” Motibhai Group staff member Rhea Pillai said during the event.

“We sincerely appreciate your support and generous contribution to promote cancer awareness and to help and support Fiji Cancer Society in their day to day work of detecting and treating cancer patients,” Ms

Pillai added.

“We understand that these are difficult times due to COVID-19 and its global impact on businesses and families across every sector but we must not forget that pandemics will emerge and disappear but unfortunately cancer as a disease remains among our communities and it is therefore essential for us to carry on with this campaign to help Fiji Cancer society to raise the necessary funds.

“Tough times do come but they don’t stay long, but tough people do. We hope Fiji Cancer Society will definitely overcome these difficult times and carry on the battle as ‘nobody fights alone’.”

Invited guests pay attention to the speeches delivered during the morning tea event in Suva.

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Published by Shalendra Prasad on behalf of Motibhai Group. Email:- photojournalist.fiji@gmail.com