Venilal ‘Victor’ Rathod’s life has been filled with dedication to his community. From pioneering businesses in Fiji’s hospitality industry to being instrumental in founding a charitable trust for the elderly, he has made an incredible impact on those around him, and his contributions continue to benefit communities in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.
Venilal’s entrepreneurial journey began with a tailoring shop that he ran with his father. Over time, he expanded his business to open four shops and even held fashion parades. “They used to criticize me, but if you want to grow your business, don’t try to compete, go in a different way.”
Venilal went on to spend a significant part of his life working in Fiji’s hospitality industry, where he owned public bars and hotels. “I was the first person to target the backpacker’s business,” he says. “Nobody bothered about backpackers in Fiji, it was all upmarket resorts. So, I started my own business as a Fiji Visitor Centre on Mana Island. It offered affordable accommodation for backpackers, meals, swimming pool, tennis court.” After the Fiji coup in 1987, tourism slowed down and many high-end resorts followed Venilal’s lead by offering dorm-type accommodation.
Venilal opened the first Indian restaurant in Fiji, ‘Star of India’, complete with a chef flown in from India. It was the first restaurant to offer authentic Indian cuisine, and it was very successful. “Opening up a restaurant is also a kind of service to people,” says Venilal. The chef has also now moved to New Zealand and runs an Indian takeaway restaurant in Titirangi.
After moving to New Zealand, Venilal found himself in a smaller community but remained deeply engaged in supporting fellow migrants from his native village in Fiji. His involvement extended to fundraising, community service, and organizing cultural events. Volunteers regularly transported elderly individuals to gatherings where they shared meals, participated in singing and dancing competitions, and attended sporting events. Over time, this community network expanded, linking individuals across New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji.
“I do what I can for my community, but I don’t expect my community to do anything in return,” says Venilal. “In the past the cooking for the community events was all done in people’s homes in big pots and then trucked to the event location. “We used to do cooking in my backyard,” he says. “We’d make goat curry in huge pots. Now we do it at the Gandhi Centre and we cook for 500, 600, 700 people.”
Venilal played a pivotal role in establishing a charitable trust for elderly individuals, driven by a deep concern for their well-being. The idea for the charitable trust took shape many years ago when Venilal was still working. “This was when I was working and I heard the plight of some elderly people,” he explains. “I heard that they are not being treated well, and their money taken from them by their families.” He began to use his own money to buy groceries and other necessities for them from his workplace, a wholesale produce suppliers. When his employer noticed that he was personally buying essential supplies for other people, he took action. Not only did he refund Venilal all of his money, but he also began subsidising the groceries and suggested that a charitable trust was formed to continue to provide for those in need.
At its inception, the trust was assisting numerous families, with the number of beneficiaries growing over time. The Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust is still operating today, continuing to help the community decades after its establishment.
Pictured from left: Venilal with Dinesh Kumar, Sanjeet Kumar and Hemal Solanki from the Kshatriya Society of NZ
In recognition of Venilal’s lifelong dedication to community service, the Kshatriya Society of New Zealand honoured him with the 2025 Lifetime Service Award. The award, presented at the Gandhi Centre before an audience of over a thousand people, acknowledged his selfless contributions and lasting impact on the community.
Currently, Venilal is under Hospice care for pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung condition. The Hospice team has played a crucial role in stabilizing his weight, managing his medications, and been successful at alleviating symptoms like his persistent coughing. Initially cared for at home, he now resides at Glenburn Retirement Village.
Known for his unwavering generosity and desire to help others, Venilal remains committed to supporting people whenever possible – a principle which has shaped his entire life.
