A Singaporean Indian brand which has expanded its branches in the region including South Asia is Jothi Store and Flower Shop which was founded in the early 1960s. The small stall sold traditional Indian garlands, betel leaves, and prayer items. Its founder, Ramachandra Murugaia, arrived at Singapore in 1948, when he was 17 years old. He named the shop after his first daughter Jothi. Since then, the small shop has grown into a thriving five-storey business in Campbell Lane. Murugaia’s son, Rajakumar Chandra, took over the business in 1986. The company has also expanded into Malaysia and started exporting to other parts of the world. Jothi Store has very much become a household name and a one stop centre for shoppers including tourists to obtain uniquely Indian items which they want to purchase for their home. Jothi Store has also done much for the community by way of sponsoring Temple redevelopment plans, the promotion of the Tamil language in Singapore and in providing bursaries for the needy students. Rajakumar is Partner of Jothi Store & Flower Shop, and a Director of Jothi Holdings Pte Lid. Rajkumar has played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association and currently he is the advisor of LISHA. Mr Rajakumar is also in the Tamil Language Council, the Little India Task Force, and the NHB Award Committee. In SICCI he was a board director and Vice-Chairman of SME Centre@SICCi for the term 2022-2024. In the new board, he is appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Board of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
