India K’ Raja opened its doors for business in 1995. Since then, it has become the landmark for Indian cuisine in Richmond’s west end. The menu includes an extensive variety of Indian food from both Northern and Southern India. When you enter the restaurant the smell of exotic spices, the sound of traditional music, and the Indian décor creates an ambiance that makes you feel like you are India! The restaurant has won numerous awards for taste and style, including being voted "Best Indian Restaurant" by Richmond.com in 2005.

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Immigrant finds fortune in hotel industry

 

First generation Indian-American P.C. Amin worked hard after arriving in America and made his fortune in the hotel industry.

Every evening after work, P.C Amin returned to his room at the YMCA homeless shelter in downtown Richmond, sit at the edge of his bed and stare out the window, dreaming of a prosperous future.

Thirty years later, from that same window, one can view a full service Hampton Inn owed by Amin. This hotel is one several properties in the Mid Atlantic Region that make up Amin’s multi-million dollar corporation – Shamin hotels.

Born in India, Amin grew up in a middle class family with his parents and three siblings. After graduating from Punjab Engineering College in India with a degree in engineering in 1965, Amin began to make the average middle-class salary in India; $5 per month.

“All six of us lived in a 500-square-foot home. I worked so hard and saw so little come out of it. I wanted more, for myself and my family. I knew that if I moved to America I would be in a better position to help my family,” Amin said.

Amin applied to 35 American universities with master’s programs in engineering. When he received an acceptance letter from the University of Utah, he immediately applied for scholarships and loans to pay for his flight to the United States and to help with his first year expenses.

“I had no family or friends in America, but I had hope. I found a janitorial job and worked my way through school, graduating at the top of my class,” said Amin.

In 1969, Amin received his master’s in civil engineering. He was almost out of money, had no place to stay and had no direction. He applied to several companies and all of them turned him down.

“It was very discouraging. I would get a phone call and when the personnel representative heard my accent they never called back. I was desperate for work and I did not want to go home a failure,” Amin said

Amin called B. N. Shah, a friend he met while in school and asked him for help.
“He just graduated from school himself and did not have much, but he took $200 out of his bill money and wished me good luck,” Amin said.

Amin took the money and bought bus tickets to 19 states that he planned to visit within a 20-day-period. Before leaving, he outlined companies that may be hiring engineers and applied in person to all of them while on the trip. His final stop was in Richmond.

“I went to the Department of Transportation and applied for a job. I was at the end of my rope and was practically begging the hiring manager. When he heard my story of traveling across the country, he hired me. I think he hired me because he felt sorry,” Amin said laughing.

When Amin accepted the job with the Department of Transportation, he had only $20 dollars left. He stayed at the YMCA’s shelter for men until he had enough money to move into a small apartment.

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Festivals are essential threads woven in the fabric of Indian society. These are special occasions for social get-together with family, friends and neighbors to forge new bonds and strengthen the existing ones. Every year in June, the Cultural Center of India, in Chester, Virginia, hosts the “Taste of India Festival”. The festival provides the community in Metro Richmond and Tri-Cities areas a glimpse of Indian culture. At the event, visitors are able to taste the diverse flavors of authentic Indian cooking; like the Dosa, a South Indian pancake and the Samosa, a pastry stuffed with spicy vegetables from North India. Throughout the event, specially designed cultural programs include folk dances, fashion shows and other presentations from various regions of India.

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Amin soon became impatient with his slow advancement. He had held the same position for five years and everyone he trained was promoted over him.

“The same young man who wanted more out of life was still in the inside. I appreciated what I had but knew there was something greater in store for me,” said Amin.

Amin found a rundown hotel in Chesterfield, a bank had up for sale. He quit his job, emptied his savings account and bought the building. He also sold his home and moved his family into the hotel.

“When he told me that he was quitting his job, I was afraid but I trusted my husband. He is a very smart man and I knew that if he said it would work then it would,” said Amin’s wife Shuhshila.

Within six months the hotel began to make a profit. And Amin used the profit to buy another hotel.

With vision to grow, Amin once again called his friend B.N. Shah, and asked if he would like to partner with him in an expansion plan. Shah agreed to do so and Shamin Hotels incorporated was founded.

“When Amin presented his business plan to me I could not turn it down. I poured my own capital into it, and here we are with a growing business and over 400 employees. Let’s just say it was a good investment,” Shah said.

Seven years ago, Amin collaborated with several Indian-Americans in the Tri-City area and opened the Cultural Center of India, a non-profit center that caters to the needs of the local community.  According to the 2000 census, there are approximately 4,600 Indian-Americans living in the Richmond region.

The Cultural Center of India also serves as a place where Indians of all religious backgrounds and ethnicities could come together and share their common heritage.

“When P.C. Amin came to us with the idea we were all on board. We wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to us. Now we have a place where the local community can learn about our culture and in exchange we can learn about theirs,” said Shirish Shah, the president of the center.

Every year in June, the Cultural Center of India holds the Taste of India Festival, which features Indian cuisine, folk dance and music. This year more than 7,000 people attended the event.

Amin does not accept praise for his accomplishments. He says he believes anyone with a commitment to excellence can experience the same success.

“My story is not unique or special. When you hear my story, you hear the story of every Indian immigrant. Hard work pays off … indeed it does,” Amin said.

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The Indian Community in Richmond

 

According to the 2000 census, there are approximately 4,600 Indians living in the Richmond, Virginia region. To support the community, there are many organizations that help bridge the gap between the Eastern world and Western society. The Indian Association of Virginia was organized to support and promote the cultural, social-economic, ethnic needs and activities of Indians living in the Richmond region. They sponsor different cultural, social, humanitarian, educational and sports activities throughout the year to encourage Indians from different cultures and language to share a strong bond rooted in their common heritage.  The Cultural Center of India of Richmond serves as a place that not only brings the local Indian community together, but to introduce Indian culture and heritage to the local mainstream community as well. The Hindu Center of Virginia is also a central part of the Indian community of Richmond. Their main goal is to organize and practice religious and cultural activities of value and interest to the Hindu community.

(Reported in July 2008)