The Chitnis Couple: Rashmin and Shama

Rashmin’s Profession: Architect, owns Design Bureau ( 1981)

Business: Started Ruchira (1983), first garden restaurant in Kenya

Positions held:

Co-chair and founder Trustee – Ufungamano Joint Forum of Religious Organisation

Past Chairman – Hindu Council of Kenya (HCK)

Trustee & Past Chairman– Maharashtra Mandal

Shama’s Business: Runs Gat Safaris, a travel agency (since 1996) along with husband Rashmin Chitnis

Citizen: Kenyans

In the year 1978, a young architect from Nasik landed in Nairobi to design and draw plans of numerous buildings here but ended up contributing much more. With more than 250 projects to his credit today he has enjoyed wearing many hats. Devoting his time as a social worker, he has represented the Hindu community on many governmental forums and has come to the conclusion that, doing business in Africa is not easy. “The cost is very high especially the number of licenses and processes one has to go through,” says Rashmin with a deep sigh. “Kenyan economy is more like an ECG report; it goes up and down. But life will continue here. We prefer not to plan anything long term,” he says with a tinge of optimism in his tone. When architectural projects dwindled owing to political instability he ventured into the food sector by starting the first garden restaurant, Ruchira. And years later when his wife started the Gat Safaris, he was glad that if not all, at least one of the ventures would ensure a regular cash flow at any given point of time. “When payments for my designs got delayed, the restaurant business bailed me out. We are happy with whatever we are doing now,” he says with a smile.

Having held prominent positions as the (past ) chairman of the Hindu council of Kenya and voicing his views for better government policies and regulations, Rashmin has great faith in the potential of the African market and is in awe of Indian Kenyans who have contributed their bit. “Indians have the knack for business, they know how to work within the available resources. Majority of Africans lack this sense. Once the money starts rolling in, they lose control and are tempted to overspend, then land into difficulties,” he observes. What saddens him the most is despite the promulgation of the Constitution in 2010, lives for majority of Kenyans have not changed. “One bewildering aspect I have been observing in Kenya is overpopulation. The cultural pressure to have more kids is high. A reason why most of the youth don’t go to universities and the problem of idle youth surges which politicians use to their benefit,” he adds.

Shama Chitnis

“Travelling to Bangkok is way cheaper than a safari in Kenya,” a complaint that Shama, has to confront with on a regular basis.  But there are some things in life that are best not measured in terms of money. Visit to Kenya’s wildlife parks is one. Having started GAT Safaris in 1995, after a rigorous course in travel and tourism, her journey has been bumpy much like the roads that lead to the national parks here. “Though tourism is the backbone of this country’s economy, more can be done to repair the roads,” she says. “Even the safari vehicle takes a lot of beating in certain parks, needing repair every time it returns,” says Rashmin.  “Am glad new tarmac roads are being done which will make travel more comfortable in a year’s time,” he adds.

But then nothing has deterred tourists from coming here; the well-maintained camps, magnificent wildlife and the unmatched experience continues to attract them from far and distant lands.

The political instability in the country and the travel advisories that follow often adversely affect the tourism industry. But such has been the charm of Kenya that tourists land with their baggage despite it. “Last year as per the constitution the elections were held during the peak season. When people were off the streets fearing post-election violence, the only vehicles roaming around were the safari ones,” she says matter-of-factly.

Another aspect affecting the parks here is the human wildlife conflict. Increase in human population has led to human encroachment of the wildlife habitats such as forests and grasslands.  “Animals are moving further and tourists can’t get to see enough game in some parks,” says Shama.

Hoping that tourism would continue to thrive, the Chitnis couple is today busy attending to numerous queries from customers from many parts of the world.