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| Ramarkalmedu - Iduki Dist, Kerala |
I was taking a road trip to off-beat locations with my friend in western ghats of Kerala in this south west monsoon season. Gusty winds, monsoon torrential rains, and cold weather forced us to take a pitch stop in a small quintessential town called Thookupalam on Ramakalmedu - Thekkday-Munnar route. Being a Saturday and after a long drive, we decided to make some generous contribution to Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) to cherish our nostalgic college days and our present lives in this reunion trip.
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| Bestie |
To our disappointment, the KSBC outlets are closed in entire Kerala since it was a dry day. My friend started complaining about the government policies and even argued that, closing KSBC outlets is a crime on weekends. Our inner spirits never dampened; we were sooner on Plan - B to find the beverages in black. After a few hours, all our exercise went in futile. And at last we made our mind and accepted the fact, it's real dry day.
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| Enroute to Thookupalam |
Later we settled in a restaurant to have our dinner. Though it's small, the restaurant was well-maintained, and clean. The hotel waiter served us hot pinkish red color water which was herbal flavored in a glass. We sipped the glass of flavored colored water smiling at each other. The water is usually called, Dahamukthi, Keralities ancient practices before the invention of Aquaguards, and packaged drinking water. We ordered authentic Kerala cusines of kanji (boiled rice porridge), chammanthi (chutney), with pickles.
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| The new age entrepreneur without fancy MBA degree |
The propertier of the hotel in
mid-40's had a smiling face, and he was very much cordial and hospitable too.
He kept on moving from each table ensuring the customers are enjoying his
authentic kerala cusines and satisfied with his services. He came to our table
with that jubilant smile for casual conversation. He came to know that I am
vegan on Saturdays, and he took extra special care to serve many vegetarian
thoorans. I thought the man would have mastered the art of hospitality from a
very professional campus. To my surprise, he never crossed his high school
education. The food was exceptionally tasty, authentic, and served hot
with lots of comfort and love in the monsoon nights. He even recommended the
best spots for sunrise the next day.
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| KEERTHI - The life changer |
While about to leave; I noticed the
sign board reading "KEERTHI HOTEL". I quickly recalled his name as
Binu from our earlier conversation, and I felt this KEERTHI name was an unusual
name for a malayalee. I was curious to dig the story behind. I asked Binu, who
is Keerthi? And I went on to guess, Is it your Mom? It was no. Is it your
wife? It was no. Is it your daughter? Again it was no. Is it your first love?
He laughed his lungs out, and said Nooooo. This made me even more curious, and
he smiled at me and asked do you have time to hear my story. I said, I'm
all ears to listen to his story.
At the age of 12, Binu dropped out
from school. His poor family background forced him to take up jobs to support
his family financial needs. He moved across many cities across Kerala for
better income. Lastly he joined at a hotel in kannur as a waiter for a
meager salary. The hotel was run by a professor couple. The professor was
impressed by his hard work and sincerity. Sooner Binu become the part of the hotel
and professor family. Meanwhile Binu learnt the hotel business acumen,
operations, cooking, customer handling skills, crisis handling tactics, goods procurement,
negotiation skills, teamwork and all nitty-gritty of restaurant and food
industry.
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| The networks in God's own country! |
One fine day, Binu decided to quit his job and decided to start a hotel in his home town, Thookupalam. The professor couple was very much happy; they blessed Binu for more prosperity in his life. Binu decided to dedicate the new venture to the professor, whose name was - KEERTHI MON. The professor initially objected to this, and he recommended Binu to have the name of God or his family members to the hotel. Binu was firm on his stance. One fine day, the KEERTHI hotel was inaugurated by KEERTHI, the professor and Binu’s life mentor. 15+ years rolled on, Binu succeeded as an entrepreneur and now employs twelve people in his hotel, serving authentic and tasty Kerala cuisines. Even today Binu and Keerthi have a special bonding visiting each other on festive occasions.
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| Toast of life! |
This entire story was an eye opener for me in two dimensions.
1) Binu's highest regard for his
guru from whom he learnt his valuable life lessons. Keerthi was a real
inspirational common man, who touched and changed a life of an ordinary person
and his family. People like Keerthi live in our society silently,
enlightening and empowering people and their families.
2) Though being poor, Binu managed
to live, sustain and succeed in his motherland, without having the intention
and obligation of flying to Gulf countries for greener pastures like any other
mindset of Keralities.
Though it was dry day, Binu's story
was a reason to say cheers and raise the toast of life for me!
