Ask for a uniform of any sort in Kuwait and you will most likely be directed to Bhasin Company.Bhasin Co.was established in 1950 by Late Shri Om Prakash Bhasin, who moved from Basra, Iraq to Kuwait,with the help of Sheikh Mohammed Al Sabah (the first Defence Minister of Kuwait).
Inspired by the Jashanmals who were already in Kuwait at that time, Mr. Bhasin established a tailoring and sports business initially. Bhasin were the first tailors to produce Officers’ uniforms in Kuwait.
In the 1960's when Kuwait got its independence, the government encouraged education and promoted sporting activities. Mr. Bhasin identified this business opportunity and ventured into sports and school uniforms. The government distributed sports equipment, school uniforms,scouts and guides uniforms freely to the people in Kuwait at the time.. As the country flourished, so did his business. From Bhasin Brothers it became Mahallat Bhasin and later to its current form as Bhasin Company W.L.L. Bhasin Co established itself firmly as the pioneers in all varieties of uniforms.
In 1981 on the demise of Mr. Om Prakash Bhasin, his elder son Shivy Bhasin took over the business and became the Managing Director with Mr. Faraj Mubarak Al Ajeel as the Chairman and his younger brother Mr. Hemant Kumar Bhasin as a partner.
With the great vision of Mr Shivy Bhasin, today the Company has become a leading business house in Kuwait for Uniforms, Tailoring and Sporting Goods.
“Sports has become a very specialized business. We are not so active in all Sports but we still deal in Cricket, Badminton and Golf equipment. My father maintained that if you are from Sialkot[ the hub of sports equipment manufacturing in pre-partition India] you must stay connected to Sports. So we continued that tradition” says Shivy Bhasin.
"Other than School Uniforms we also deal in Catering Uniforms, Industrial Clothing, Forces uniforms and flags of all types." Mr Shivy Bhasin added.
Mr. Bhasin sources his merchandise primarily from India. Earlier in the 1960's merchandise was imported from England. Most goods are now imported from India and other Far Eastern countries like China, Korea, Taiwan etc. They also participate in Kuwait Government tenders for Police, Army, National Guard, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health etc. for various official uniforms. The company engages around 45 staff members of different nationalities.
Apart from the business, the humanitarian side of Mr. Bhasin was always in the news. To encourage the Science and Technology in India, the family started a foundation in the name of late Om Prakash Bhasin. The foundation was established in 1985 by Late Mrs. Vinod Bhasin, along with her two sons, Shivy Bhasin and Hemant Kumar Bhasin, to honour the memory of her husband, Om Prakash Bhasin. Shri Shivy Bhasin is the member of this foundation, which gives away ‘Om Prakash Bhasin Award for Science and Technology’ annually and recognizes excellence in all areas of scientific innovation of a pure or applied nature, or for outstanding scientific leadership in various fields of Science & Technology.
In the past, the awards have been presented by the Presidents, Prime Ministers and various Ministers of Indian Government. Prominent personalities like Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam ( Space and Aero Space - 1986], Shri. E. Sreedharan [ Engineering including Energy and Aero Space - 2002] Prof. M.G.K. Menon [ Electronics and Telecommunications - 1985] are examples of a few of the eminent scientists who have been bestowed with this prestigious award.
Mr. Shivy Bhasin is also the Vice Chairperson of Indian Business and Professional Council – IBPC. “We at IBPC provide an excellent networking platform for the Indian professionals and businessmen in Kuwait” says Mr. Shivy Bhasin. IBPC’s main aim is to promote business, trade, investment and culture between Kuwait and India. It works towards good relation between the two countries.
His activities are not only limited to business. He was very much involved in Cricket and Hockey in his younger days. He was the Captain and President of Kuwait Cricketers (Hawks) and is currently the President of Kuwait Independent Hockey Club. At a later stage, he started playing Golf and was the Captain of Hunting & Equestrian Golf Club.
Originally from Punjab, Mr. Shivy Bhasin is now settled in Bangalore. Both his sons are working in Bangalore in their own businesses. His elder son Samar Vikram Bhasin, a Business management graduate, runs the Pratham Motors - Agency for Maruti cars and second son Prithu Bhasin,who has studied Hotel Management, is in the process of establishing a restaurant business in Bangalore. His daughter Gayatri Bhasin Thapa,a qualified educationalist, is married and settled in Abu Dhabi. His Wife Mrs. Munna Bhasin is well known socially and is a business lady in her own rights dealing in Indian articrafts.
Mr. Bhasin advises that Indians in Kuwait should abide by the local laws and ensure that they create a good impression of India and its people. He believes Kuwait should not be treated as a final destination by Indians living in Kuwait and that they should be prepared to move on, if need be. His personal choice as the ultimate place to settle would be, back to his roots, India.