Sunil Gehani

Born|  (1974-03-12) March 12, 1974 (age 50)

Mumbai, India

Nationality| Indian
Other names| Sunny
Citizenship| India
Alma mater| National College- Bandra
Occupation| Businessman
Organization|

* The Big Cane Rum- Made In St Kitts
* Square Duty Free.
* Global Link International
* Buddha Dining and Shisha Lounge -St Kitts
* St Kitts Cannabis Company

Title| Founder

'Sunil Gehani' (born 12 March 1974), popularly known as Sunny Gehani, is Non Resident Indian businessman from St Kitts, Nevis, Saint Martin and ex-president of IMA (Indian Merchants Association).[1][2]

## Contents

* 1 Early Life
* 2 Success In Liquor Business and More
* 3 Becoming Global Citizen
* 4 Philanthropy
* 5 Gallery
* 6 References
* 7 External Links

## Early Life[edit]

Sunil Gehani aka Sunny was born and grew up in Mumbai, India. He finished his schooling at Guru Nanak School-Sion, Mumbai. His father was a physician and mother was a homemaker. Sunil also attended National College- Bandra.[3]

## Success In Liquor Business and More[edit]

In 1998, Sunil migrated to Saint Martin looking for work and started his business of tobacco vending machine with little savings of his own. After few years of ups and downs he opened a duty free tobacco store in late 2002 and a duty free liquor store 2003. A couple of years later he started trading and distribution of liquor and tobacco in Saint Martin and eventually became a liquor and tobacco trader in the island nation.

In 2010, world's biggest liquor giant Diageo dragged Sunil to court and he was sued for illicit business practices. This was because of Sunil's growing grip over the country's liquor market, as Diageo was losing business to Sunil. However Sunil successfully fought all the legal cases in 2011[4]. The highest court in Hague also gave a favorable judgement that Sunil was doing all legit business and there was nothing wrong in the product which he imported and sold in the island nation. This legal battle was well covered in local news and also made Sunil popular locally.[5][6]

Currently Sunil is distributor of various tobacco and liquor brands in St Kitts & Nevis. He owns multiple duty-free stores at international cruise ship terminal, in Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (in capital city of Basseterre, St Kitts) ,in hotels like Marriott Hotel and in Nevis island.

Sunny also owns the most famous shisha lounge and Indian / sushi restaurant on the island which is located next to the Marriott - the Buddha Lounge

Sunny’s spouse owns one of the best rated salon and spa in the Caribbean in St Kitts namely Beauty inside out.

Sunil is also engaged in liquor production locally and owns few liquor brands. He is also a distributor of international tobacco products, in the island nation and have interests in local restaurants and event management businesses too. Starting May 2022, liquor brand The Big Cane Rum[7][8] will be produced locally in St Kitts. St Kitts & Nevis, is third most developed country in the Caribbean. Sunil also owns an immigration consultancy service company to help people who want to invest and obtain citizenship of St Kitts & Nevis Or The Republic Of Vanuatu Via Government Recognized Investment Programs.[9] This is part of the local government's efforts to promote international investments in the country.[10][11][12]

Sunny’s success mantra is being happy and he has a saying “You Live Everyday - You Only Die Once”

## Becoming Global Citizen[edit]

* Sunny is well known businessman in the Caribbean’s. He is also a known in face India diaspora living in Island nations (St Kitts & Nevis and other neighboring island countries). He was invited to an event (held on April 6, 2022) to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Netherlands. President of India Honorable Shri Ram Nath Kovind, King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima presided over the function. The event was hosted by Embassy Of India, Hauge, Netherlands.

## Philanthropy[edit]

Being a resident for so long Sunny has very good political connections with the local government leaders in the islands. He has always been in forefront in helping the local communities.

During Hurricane Irma in 2017, Sunny helped about 1500 stranded Indians in the Island Nation.[13] [14][15] At the time of distress, he provided food and shelter to the locals who were severely impacted due to nature's fury. He helped raised 50000$ to pay a for a vessel to rescue the stranded Indians from St Maarten.[16] [17][18]

In 2011, he presented a car to local police commissioner to help fight crime and violence. His efforts were appreciated by then Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.[19] Sunny was also a Rotarian when he used to live in St Maarten with the Rotary Mid Isle Club.[20][21][22][23]

## Gallery[edit]

*   *   * Sunny in New Delhi, India with the official delegation invited by the government of India to further strength ties between the two countries. The meeting was held between the foreign ministers of St Kitts & Nevis Hon. Dr Douglas and India FA minister Hon. S. Jaishankar

*   *   *   *

## References[edit]

1. ↑ Gehani, Sunil. "President of IMA". Mid-Day.Com. Mid-Day.Com. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
2. ↑ "File:Sunil Gehani In St Lucia, as IMA - St Kitts President.jpeg". Wikipedia. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
3. ↑ "R. D. National College". rdnational.ac.in. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
4. ↑ Gehani, Sunil (18 March 2008). "Battle Continues Over Sale of Parallel Imported Liquor" (PDF). The Daily Herald. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
5. ↑ Diageo Brands B.V, Diageo North America Inc. "Retailers win appeal over sale of decoded products". dutchcaribbeanlegalportal.com. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
6. ↑ Gehani, Sunil (25 July 2008). "Government Not Aware of Ruling~wanted to prohibit importer from reselling merchandise On Decoded Products" (PDF). The Daily Herald. The Daily Herald. The Daily Herald. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
7. ↑ "The Big Cane". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
8. ↑ Team, Times Bulletin (31 March 2022). "Employees Get Paid in Bitcoin Cash Salaries". Times Bulletin. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
9. ↑ Desk, Web (9 September 2017). "Indian Embassy tells 1,500 hurricane-hit Indian families in Caribbean to 'go to hell'". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
10. ↑ PR, ANI (31 May 2023). "Global Link Authorized by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to Market Citizenship Program Internationally". ThePrint. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
11. ↑ "aninews topic sunny gehani". www.aninews.in. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
12. ↑ "Global Link Authorized by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to Market Citizenship Program Internationally". uniindia.com. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
13. ↑ Gehani, Sunil; Venezuela, Indian Embassy in; Shahani, Seema; Swaraj, Sushma (9 September 2017). "Indian Embassy tells 1,500 hurricane-hit Indian families in Caribbean to 'go to hell'". arynews.tv. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
14. ↑ Gehani, Sunil. "Sunil Helping Stranded Indian During Irma Hurricane". Little India. Little India. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
15. ↑ Gehani, Sunil; Shahani, Seema (11 September 2011). "Hurricane Irma: St Kitts Indian Community Reaches Out To Stranded Indians At St Maarten". Mid-Day. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
16. ↑ Gehani, Sunil (11 Sep 2017). "Raised 50000$". Mid Day. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
17. ↑ Gehani, Sunil. "Hurricane Irma". TimesCaribbeanOnline. No. Sep 12 2017. TimesCaribbeanOnline. TimesCaribbeanOnline. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
18. ↑ "After Passengers Accused KLM Airlines Of Discrimination Against Indian Travellers, 5 Indians Finally Allowed To Board Rescheduled Flight". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
19. ↑ Gehani, Sunil; Douglas, Denzil; G. Walwyn, Celvin. "Police receive more gifts from business community". sknvibes.com. Suelika N. Creque. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
20. ↑ Gehani, Sunil; “The Doctor”, Beenie Man (7 September 2011). "Digicel co-sponsors upcoming Beenie Man Concert". SKNVibes.com. Digicel, Press Release. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
21. ↑ Gehani, Sunil. "Zero Tolerance To Crime" (PDF). No. Nov 24 2011. the daily herald. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
22. ↑ "Global Link Authorized by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to Market Citizenship Program Internationally". timescaribbeanonline.com. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
23. ↑ "Latest News – Page 334 – SKN Consulate in Toronto". skncgtoronto.gov.kn. Retrieved 27 September 2024.

## External Links[edit]

* Sunil Gehani on facebook
* Sunil Gehani on Instagram
* Police receive more gifts from business community - SKNVibes
* Angry business owners at Port Zante meet with ... - SKNVibes
* Della Leaders Club
* BuddhaBar St Kitts
* Philanthropy – Helping Chris Gales for good cause
* St Kitts Approved Immigration Business