Vijay was born and brought up in India, where his family and friends still live. He has always worked hard to build a better future for his family. He married Vanitabai Velgi in 2015 and they have two beautiful children.
In 2018 he decided to move to UK and fortunate for Vijay, his wife’s family were already settled in Leicester, so it was not completely strange and lonely when they moved here. At first, he found it difficult adjusting to the British way of life and the language barrier, but with the support of his wife and children, he felt he could accomplish anything he set his mind to.
It was a difficult decision for him to take but one he does not regret as in the short space of 4 years of being in Leicester, Vijay has become the proud owner of “Vitaz Jewellery” and Director of “The Jungle Club”.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I was born and brought up in Diu city, where I lived my childhood and near my family. My first love and home.
However since 2018, I realised what a home was. When I built it from scratch. Now Leicester is my home where I have learnt the value of what a home is and how hard it has been to make it.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
My proudest moment in my life has been providing a safe and comfortable life for my children. It has been a hard journey and along the way I have become a solid businessman.
3) What inspires you?
My children are my inspiration... they have adapted to this new life and always give me the strength and encouragement I need, alongside my wife.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
The biggest obstacle I have found in my career has been the language barrier. As I am fluent in Gujarti my English is broken and at times I find my confidence in understanding becomes an obstacle. Luckily I have means to learn English around me and being in Leicester the Gujarti community is large and this has been a blessing.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
The biggest influence in my life as well as my children and wife has been my parents. They worked hard everyday to provide me and my siblings the best life. They always made sure we had food on the table even if they couldn’t eat. I look at my father and I want to be him but better.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Best aspect about my current role is I am constantly learning. I am learning the life and culture of being in Leicester and UK. Along the journey I am meeting so many new people who have guided me and taught me new skills. Everyday is something different and it has broadened my understanding and knowledge of the world and also being a businessman
7) And the worst?
Worst part in my role.... this I have yet to find ! Everyday is a learning journey and with any hard moments there are learning moments.
8) What are your long term goals?
My long term goals are to develop as a businessman and bring The Jungle Club to its best potential. To allow the community to have not only a place to socialise but a place of comfort and support for people who like me are new to the area, culture and even language.
I wanted to develop the center to becoming a community hub.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
If I was Prime Minister, I would ensure language speaking hubs were set up around the country to help people with learning and understanding English. This would be free and accessible to anyone. Just like the NHS is. I would make the criteria for benefits more fair to ensure those who genuinely need help get it. This itself is a mammoth task! I would help work towards reducing NHS wait time and ensure that NHS staff and those frontline works have a fairer pay. They work the hours and reap no income rewards.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Mahatma Gandhi is my Ideal hero. He contributed a lot to the society. His thoughts are relevant to the whole world not just to the India. He was the man of ethics. Gandhi fought without fists but with courage, heart, empathy, and, most importantly, with love – love for self, love for others, and love for his country. He always take stand for truth. I know I'm not that perfect but I'm trying to follow Gandhi's ethics as much as possible.
