Reji Viswanathan Nair
Partner
Yousuf Hamdan Al-Balushi and Sons Trading Company
Sohar, Sultanate of Oman
By combining compassion and business, Reji Viswanathan Nair has earned a place among entrepreneurs who have the milk of human kindness. Under Yousuf Hamdan Al-Balushi and Sons Trading Company, Reji along with his partner, Sheikh Alavdeen Gulam Moideen entered into the labour camp catering service. Reji made his imprint on the business landscape with sheer hard work and the yearning to succeed.
A Journey That Began in Ponkunnam
A native of Ponkunnam in Kottayam District, Reji was born to the late P N Viswanathan Nair, who retired from the Kerala State Police Service, and the late E K Ratnamma, a homemaker. After graduation, he did an ITI course, too. He came to the Sultanate in 1991 and worked as a salesman in a relative’s electronic shop in Sur.Then, he shifted to Muscat in 1994 and worked as a sales executive in National Trade and Transport Company until 2003.
Later in 2008, he partnered with Gulam Moideen resulting in the creation of Yousuf Hamdan Al Balushi and Sons Trading Company that provided Portacabin Manufacturing in Sohar. Then in 2010, this company shifted to providing labor camp facilities and catering services. Initially began by accommodating 250 workers in flats, and later, as the number of inmates grew, he provided accommodation in porta cabins. Right now, they operate a labour camp with a capacity of 1,500 and provide catering services as well. The entire facility is spread across 45,000 square feet within a single-gate campus. There are eight/six people in one cabin, and all amenities are provided by the company.
There are healthcare facilities, including beds for the sick. Nourishing meals are provided to the residents, and the ingredients are carefully sourced from trusted local suppliers. Interestingly, the camp provides 1,400 hand-rolled chapatis every day, and there is a dedicated staff to take care of the facility. The staff are from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Family and Philanthropy
Reji’s better half is Usha, a graduate who used to work as a medical transcriptionist before with Oman Line. The couple is blessed with two daughters. The eldest, Gayathry, has a PG in Public Relations and Advertising from St. Josephs University in Bengaluru and an MBA in Marketing from Middlesex University Dubai. The second child, Gauri, has completed Class XII and is preparing for the NEET exams. He is part of organisations such as Krishikootam, a collective of those interested in agriculture, and Navachethana, a malayali social service group based in Sohar.
A magnanimous entrepreneur, Reji has lent a helping hand to many people. In fact, he goes out of his way to support several families, becoming their lifeline. Even in the labour camp he runs, Reji is a constant presence as he has to intervene in day-to-day issues of the laborers, including sending money to India and opening a bank account.
Contact Information
Reji Viswanathan Nair
PO Box: 460, PC: 322, Falaj, Sohar
Mobile: +968 98583304, 99708674
