Metro Mart January 2021

Volume 10 Issue 01 JANUARY 2021

`50

New Year Resolution: A Self-Contract 'WONDERS OF KERALA BY CHARLY’S ANGELS' CONCLUDES AT WAYANAD EAT by Citrine: AN ODE TO KERALA’S CULINARY LEGACY

ANANTHAPURI CARDIO VASCULAR CENTRE

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN

CARDIOLOGY & CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY Emergency Angioplasty for

H E A R T AT TA C K

Helpline

0471 6609900

C O M P L E X A N G I O P L A S T Y W I T H F F R , O C T & R O TA B L AT O R R A D I O F R E Q U E N C Y A B L AT I O N H E A R T B Y PA S S S U R G E R Y SURGERY

O F F - P U M P B E AT I N G

M I N I M A L LY I N V A S I V E V A L V E

ECMO

C H AC K A , N H BY PAS S , T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M - 6 9 5 024 , K E R A L A E-mail January 2021- ahri@ahri.in | www.ananthapurihospitals.com 2

A

nother edition of Metro Mart is with you.

Foreword

An eventful year is bidding farewell to us.

Covid-19 which turned the world upside down, which distorted human lives, which severely hit the financial fortunes of businesses across the world, which pushed the industry’s boundaries of resilience, which rewrote the equations of doing business, which brought in radical changes in the chores of man’s day to day life, which upped the supremacy of advanced technology is slowly fading away. Human life is returning to normalcy. Businesses have started to gear up for a world where the old norms are being reframed and instead new rules and different social mores are being put into place. Resuming operations after an unforeseen pandemic has necessitated bold and courageous thinking and using innovation as the mantra for sustenance of any enterprise.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that as 2020 is fading into history and the new year 2021 is ushering in, what we see is a new world order.

This is not forgetting the new threats which have surfaced in some parts of the world in the form of a slightly changed form of the Corona virus. The certain prospects of Covid vaccine becoming an effective reality are adding brightness to a world which was in the gloom contributed by the pandemic.

We have endeavoured to include many interesting features and articles in this issue and hope our readers would find them informative as well as interesting.

On this occasion, Metro Mart wishes all its readers and their families a very happy, peaceful, healthy and prosperous New Year 2021.

Happy reading.

SIJI NAIR

Managing Editor & Director

January 2021

5

Volume 10 - Issue 01 - JANUARY 2021

www.metromartdaily.com Read our e-edition: www.issuu.com/metromart Annual Subscription Rs- 500

Publisher

Hari Shanker Managing Editor & Director

Siji Nair

Sijicn@gmail.com Executive Director

Prasad M. Executive Editor

N. Vijayagopalan Editor

V. Viswanath Editorial Assistant

Ampili Nair Sub Editor

P.J. Sam Alex Business Development Manager

Ratheesh Kumar Asst Manager - Sales & Marketing

Jayaprakash R. P. Digital Marketing Officer

Preethi J. L. Photographer

Ananthu P. Nair Design

Naveen Manager - Administration

Sabu C.N. Manager - Accounts

Sindhu R. Corporate Office:Metro Mart, MERA 44, Eanthivila Lane, Murinjapalam, Medical College P.O. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695 011 Tel: 0471 4015593 M: 0091 9995139933 / 9947733339 email: metromart.tvm@gmail.com Pune Office:2nd Floor, ARIANA, Above Unnati, Near New Poona Bakery, Wakad, Pune - 411 057 India Pune | Kolkata | Bangalore | Kochi

6

January 2021

Contents

08

Cycle Expedition : 'WONDERS OF KERALA by CHARLY’S ANGELS'

17

New Year Resolution: A Self-Contract

Published, Edited and Printed by Hari Shanker A.G. and Owned by Haritha Media Pvt Ltd and Printed by him at SB Press Private Limited, Statue, Trivandrum 695 001 and Published from Tharangam, Kodunganoor Post, Trivandrum 695 013 Metro Mart is a monthly journal published from Trivandrum, Views and opinions expressed in the journal are not necessarily those of the Publishers.

Metro Mart reserves the right to use the information published here in any manner whatsoever. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published in this edition, neither the Publisher nor any of its employees accept any responsibilities for any errors or omissions.

All Rights Reserved

ENDORSED BY

RNI No: KERENG/2011/40037

COVER STORY

CYCLE EXPEDITION

'WONDERS OF KERALA BY CHARLY’S ANGELS' CONCLUDES AT WAYANAD

8

January 2021

WONDERS OF KERALA by CHARLY’S ANGELS, the Cycle Expedition by two young girls Parvathy and Meera, which started from Poovar at Thiruvananthapuram on December 7th successfully concluded at Wayanad. Waynad Travel Organization gave a rousing reception to the two travel enthusiasts. Throughout their journey from Thiruvanthapuram the expedition received cheers, greetings and warm receptions from the people. At Kochi, India Tourism India Tourism felicitated the expedition at Abad Plaza, Kochi on December 14th (Monday).

The expedition Organized by Citrine Hospitalities promoted by India Tourism Kochi, under the Ministry of Tourism, in association with Metro Media and 1913 PIX Entertainment turned out to be a

great success. It was undertaken with the twin missions of giving a vehement public message that after the receding of the pandemic, Kerala is now open and all our hotels, resorts and destinations are safe to travel maintaining all the protocols and guidelines set by the Government and letting the world know that Kerala tourism destinations are safe for women travelers.

The two young girls who have set out on the Cycle Tour to ride through the important tourist destinations of Kerala have a clear mission for the following reasons: 1. With the entire travel and tourism industry going through a very crucial phase over the past few month, the girls through this ride aim at creating awareness that tourism in Kerala is now open

January 2021

9

and all our hotels, resorts and destinations are safe to travel maintaining all the protocols and guidelines set by the Government.

This will not only help the Hotel, travel and tourism industry directly but also help in creating economic improvements in the sector.

2. The second message is to let the world know that Kerala tourism destinations are Safe for women travelers.

During the ride, the expedition

10

January 2021

visited 17 popular tourist destinations in Kerala. Vinu Vidyadharan a renowned Ad Film Director (1913 PIX ) captured all the golden moments of the trip along with his crew to promote Kerala tourism at these difficult times.

This initiative was supported by Kerala Travel Mart, South Kerala Hoteliers Forum, Wayanad Tourism Organisation, Travel Agents Associations of India, Thekkady Destination Promotion Council, SHOWCASE MUNNAR.

January 2021

11

RECIPE

Christmas Plum Cake The ‘Making’ Is Such Fun!

There is Never A Christmas Without a Plum Cake

N

o Christmas festivities are complete without a classic plum cake. It is not just a Christmas special - it shrinks in size - minutes after it is baked and kept on the dining table. And you can guess why? More than the ingredients, there is a lot of love, bonding and camaraderie (and kilos of it) that goes in its making.

Most of us as kids, fondly recall the Christmas memories in Kindergarten and of course the simple pleasures of ‘stealing’ a plum cake at the neighbourhood bakery.

Such fun it was. Even if our parents spotted us making these itsy-bitsy mischiefs, it was pardoned the very next minute. In fact, there are many bakeries in Kerala who do a stellar job, and still.

12

Deepika Dewan

fort of your kitchen.

Method: 1. To make the Christmas mixture: mix the dried fruits and nuts (you could add the nuts at a later stage) with the rum/brandy and orange juice and leave it closed for at least 24 hours (meaning one day). Based on your like/preference, you can reduce the alcohol content.

2. Separately, beat the butter and sugar for around 10 minutes until it turns fluffy.

3. Add the eggs and vanilla essence, and mix it for a minute or so.

Ingredients:

Did you know - it was King George I - who is supposed to have popularised the King George's Plum pudding in the 18th Century? Back then, the puddings combined dry fruits with minced meat and suet (a form of animal fat). In fact, they were also called ‘bag puddings’ because they used to be hung in a cloth and boiled.

Butter - 200gm

With the Christmas season nearing, here is the recipe of making a Christmas Plum Cake in the com-

Rum and/or brandy - 200ml

January 2021

Icing sugar - 200gm Eggs - 4

Flour - 200gm

Baking powder - 2 tsp Vanilla essence - 2 tsp

Nuts and dry fruits - 400gm

Mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves) - 40 gm Orange juice - 100ml

4. Add flour and baking powder to the butter-sugar mixture.

5. Now add Christmas mixture and mix it properly.

6. Transfer the complete mixture in the ring mould.

7. Bake in a pre-heated oven at a temperature of 180 degree C for 40 to 45 minutes.

(Recipe by Chef Anil, Hyatt Regency, Chennai)

Did you know? - it was King George I who is supposed to have popularised the King George's Plum pudding in the 18th Century!

Hope you enjoyed reading this small and absorbing piece on celebrating Christmas with the Christmas Plum cake. Do share it with your loved ones and tell us their experience on making this cake that binds hearts.

January 2021

13

CUISINE

Tales of a Christmas Cake

14

January 2021

C

hristmas is the time for love, happiness, and of course, lots of Christmas cakes. And nothing beats the traditional Indian plum cake, filled in abundance with all the good stuff one can imagine. The rich and fragrant plum cake is one thing that instantly comes to our minds when someone mentions Christmas. It is so intricately intertwined with Christmas in our minds that it has come to represent the Indian Christmas tradition. As December approaches with the spirit of Christmas, this delicacy is also being prepared in with all the love and joy of the season.

oatmeal being steamed or boiled, later variants were oven-baked.

Historians note that the baked variants originated in the more prosperous houses of the 16th century. During this time, marzipan and sugar icing also were used as a decoration on cakes in these houses.

The plum cake came to India as part of the English culture. And when it came to India, many dried

The Christmas cake has a long story which started very long ago.

The plum cake comes from a long tradition where a special pudding was made for Christmas to line the stomachs of devouts who fasted on the eve of Christmas. This pudding, or porridge, was made with plums, and very humble ingredients. This was meant as a light meal prior to the feast of the coming day.

With the passage of time, the ingredients took a decadent turn with raisins, dried fruits, honey, butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and other goodies being added to the mix. Exotic spices became a common ingredient in Christmas cakes, as they came to represent the gifts the Wise men from East brought.

The method of cooking the dish also changed. While the earlier version consisted of plums and January 2021

15

fruits and nuts became part of it, except the plum. Ironically, plum was hard to produce and procure in India. Despite that, the cake retained the name till this day.

The Christmas pudding changed tremendously over time. This delicacy travelled from England during the Victorian Age and took on its Indian avatar, vastly different from its ancestors. Now, the plum cake is a unique dish found only in the Indian subcontinent. Like the first snow of winter heralds Christmas, the arrival of plum cake heralds Christmas for the desi heart.

The plum cake, or fruitcake, as it is called in other parts of the world, is prepared months of Christmas.

The dried fruits, nuts, raisins and other chunky goodies that go into 16

January 2021

the cake are soaked in rum way ahead of Christmas. Many consider this a ritual prior to Christmas and families get together for this merry event. Cake mixing events are held in some places where people come to be part of the fun.

This mixture is stored in a cool place and allowed to ferment for a month or two. It is occasionally stirred to keep the fruits and nuts moist. Soaking it in rum gives the fruits a very rich and sweet flavour.

At the time of baking, other dry ingredients are added and baked to perfection.

The Christmas cake is packed in abundance at every store during the Christmas season. Be it for gifting or indulging in the rich goodness, the plum cake is a tantalizing option every time.

NEW YEAR

New Year Resolution: A Self-Contract

A

resolutions at the beginning of a year, mostly the financial year, which will be disseminated to their workforce.

The dawn of a new year is the most ideal time for indulging in a retrospection and re-evaluating some of our life choices and practices. Making New Year resolutions at the beginning of a year which is a common practice in the western countries has now become very common in our country also among many individuals who take life seriously, irrespective of age or gender. Many corporates also have the practice of making such

A New Year Resolution is like a self-contract, a kind of commitment where you write down what you want to achieve as well as how to achieve it. Making New Year Resolutions is a good thing, provided the one who makes it does it seriously and with all earnestness and enthusiasm and strives to live up to what is resolved, maintaining the original tempo throughout. Of course, one is not losing anything by having a New Year Resolution, as it will at least give some focus or attention to some of the chosen areas or goals.

nother New Year is slowly ushering in. Every New Year gracefully walks into our life with a bouquet of exotically fragrant and colourful flowers, which are nothing but our aspirations, our hopes, our unfulfilled desires, our ambitions.

N.Vijayagopalan

January 2021

17

There are no hard and fast rules regarding making a New Year resolution. There is no universal content or format or structure as such for the resolution. Instead of weaving dreams in the air, one should make a resolution that would have significance in and add a meaning to one’s life.

New Year Resolution can be on achievement of anything which is positive, on any specific or broad goals, life style changes, attitudinal changes, financial habits, social habits, charity, skill acquisition and so on and so forth. The resolution can be as much on selfdevelopment as on development of one’s community or society.The resolution is drawn in any manner

according to one’s imagination and creativity. But having too many goals or areas in a New Year Resolution will never work for obvious reasons.

The reality about New Year Resolutions is that the majority of people fail to stick to their resolution, since they lose focus, enthusiasm or attention and get distractions or get different or higher priorities. But a sincere attempt to make a workable New Year resolution and live upto it in letter and spirit will definitely be greatly rewarding to an individual.

We will now have a look at various New Year Resolutions that can be made for the year 2021.

My New Year Resolution 2021 I resolve to have more and more of many things and less and less of many other things during 2021.

More and more of these things

Less and less of these things

Reading good books

Spending time on social media

Book writing

Net surfing

Acquisition of new skills Saving for future

Eating fruits and vegetables Meeting new people Relaxing Charity

18

January 2021

Procrastination

Going to bed late Junk foods

Non-vegetarian food Financial debts Coffee and tea

My New Year Resolutions 2021 Resolution

First

My Goal

How I Will My Goal 1 2 3 4 5

Second

1 2 3 4 5

Third

1 2 3 4 5

My New Year Resolutions 2021 (The deficient areas to be borne in mind) This year I must without fail:-

D Learn how to dress with style

D Get in shape.

D Spend more time with the people that matter

D Improve your concentration and mental skills.

D Get out of debt

D Meet new people

D Start saving money

D Become more confident and take some chances

D Learn a new language

D Earn more money

D Volunteer and give more to charity

D Become more polite

D Become more organized in life.

D Reduce stress:

D Travel more and see the world

D Learn to be happier with mylife

D Learn to cook

D Read more books

D Learn how to be more self-reliant January 2021

19

D Start being more responsible D Learn more about art, music, culture etc D Spend less time on social media D Become more social D Start being more creative D Start writing a book/journal D Develop good healthy eating habits D Stop smoking.

D Start saving for future.

D Learn music.

D Give more to charity.

D Increase the time spent for exercise.

Long Term New Year Resolution The above are suggested Resolutions only for the year. Those who want to make a transformation in life and make a big life changing New Year Resolution which will have relevance also in the years

Sl.No.

20

January 2021

My Specific Goals

ahead, a Personal Growth Plan (PGP) as suggested below would be worthwhile. Dawn of a new year is the ideal time for making a PGP as well. The PGP needs to be at the beginning of every subsequent year.

My New Year Resolution 2021– My Personal Growth Plan I hereby make an unbreakable resolve to myself that I will take this Personal Growth Plan (PGP) in all earnestness and will live up to it, as I am convinced that no individual will be able to realize his ambition, his goals to his satisfaction without having a well laid down PGP and I am no exception to it.

I firmly resolve that I will remain wedded to my goals in life with a strong focus, untiring efforts and steadfastness and achieve them.

I also resolve to make periodic reviews of my PGP and take the required course correction so as to face any challenge which I confront in my journey towards achievement of my goals.

When would I achieve them (By which year)

I believe that the following deficiencies are to be got corrected for achievement of my goals and I must ensure their getting corrected.

1. ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

2. ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

3. ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

4. ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

5. ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

I also resolve that I will adopt the following strategies and steps to overcome my deficiencies and acquiring the traits indispensable for success and for achieving my goals.

1) ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

2) ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

3) ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

4) ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

5) ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

6) ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

7) ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

8) ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

9) ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

10) ...........…………………...........…………………………………………………………………

I once again firmly resolve to myself that I will overcome my deficiencies and acquire the traits indispensable for achievement of my goals and do full justice to this PGP to make a mark in life. I know that I have only one life to fulfilmy ambitions.

The matter is really interesting.

Go ahead and make a practical, sensible New Year Resolution for 2021 and live upto it. You will definitely see yourself reaping rich benefits. And you would repeat/ review it every year. Try it out.

January 2021

21

ON FACE

From Taj to CITRINE: Another Gem in the Hospitality Industry Prasad Manjali, CEO & MD, Citrine Hospitality Ventures delightfully shares his two decades of experience with Raja Gopaal Iyer, CEO, Raj Hospitality Management.

Raja Gopaal Iyer

22

January 2021

Prasad Manjali, an ambitious gem of the emerging Hospitality Industry brought the success mantra- Honesty, Professional Approach, Safety and Reliability for the industry through Citrine Hospitality, one of the most well-established Hospitality Management Companies in India.

Q How did CITRINE, new hospitality

was born? What is the inspiration behind it?

A Taj was my inspiration, after my

hotel management, the time we started. I started my career with Taj Hotel early 1990s and the simple passion for the hospitality industry that I enjoyed right from the beginning. During the studies, the training process, when we started to work, every moment, the pure passion which was driving us. I always want to get into something interesting, that's how the dream project, CITRINE took shape. We have hotels and resort divisions across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Our other division is MICE which handles conferences, congresses and weddings. CITRINE holidays is another division, an outbound holiday division. We have a newborn baby during the COVID era, a food beverage concept, called Eat By Citrine which brings traditional flavour as well as trivial cuisine to the people.

Q The unique logo, as well as the name “CITRINE�, is an alluring one. What is exactly CITRINE?

A CITRINE is a kind of precious stone.

You can see butterfly-like things at the right top of the logo, but they are four stones which bring you good luck and positive energy.

Let it impart positive energy to everybody.

January 2021

23

Q What are the qualities you look at to a leader?

A It is an interesting question. First

same job. They have accountability and responsibility, they need to mould, train and make the team more efficient. They are also driven by passion, only then they will be able to achieve the results. A team leader is also a coach. They have to have the abilities of a coach. Then they achieve the results.

and foremost, the leader should have the right balanced attitude to the entire scenario including the people, the team, the clients.

Inspiration, a leader should be able to inspire his team. Just preaching is not enough, preach, and practice. Q What metrics do you use to evaluate team performance?

One of the best qualities of a leader have, he should be able to show an example to his team members.

For instance, an inquiry that is coming in, don’t postpone it. Go straight into the particular inquiry, finishing it off, sending them an email, following up the calls that I have done, what I have to do, and continue to follow. That is one of the greatest things that a leader should have and that something which inspires the rest of the team as well. That is all about leadership and the passion that a leader carries forward to take his team together.

Q What are the similarities between a team leader and a coach? And how do you define both?

A In point of fact, between a team

leader and coach, there are so many similarities. Team leader and coach, like for example, the team leader tries to mould his team, for him making them competent is very important. Similarly, a coach also needs to train his team and keep them competent so that they produce whatever results are required. More or less if you ask me, the team leader and the coach are the same. They do the

24

January 2021

A It is simple in play. We use pure

business volume performance and pure business volume evaluation. As you said, we have daily reporting, weekly reporting, and monthly reporting plans. We go through that and understand the performance, pattern as well and find who is performing well.

That is one side, as any other organizations, we follow the same pattern. But at the same time, we also give value to teamwork.

You know, somebody who is not directly responsible for producing results, but he is one of the contributors or one of the factors who contribute to achieving results.

The team player who is somebody who is behind the scenes is also very important. We have certain parameters, through which we understand what their performance is and what the metrics we used, very simple.

Q What do you think that today's

generation should adopt for being a great leader? Do you think that attitude, passion, patience, consistency is needed?

A I have been seeing a lot of

youngsters getting into the

industry, unlike the day we started our career. At the time, we were aggressive, top to be aggressive, probably we had in it us, our DNA to be aggressive. And we had a lot of patience. We knew that it would take some time and it was a step by step process. But today's youngsters, they want to make it overnight, which is not the right attitude that they must carry. We had a lot of patience, you know, two things they want to do to top the ladder as pretty as possible, which is good. Then the elements of patience are very limited. And the aggressive nature, they really need to be very aggressive as far as the hospitality industry is concerned which I saw they lack quite a lot, which they want to work on. I am not talking about everybody in the industry as far as the newcomers' concern, there are 12-20 per cent who are really aggressive and serious about the hospitality industry and tourism industry, they are doing well. But the other 80 per cent, I will figure it as 80 per cent because I have seen that for so many years, the energy that they carry is not enough.

So they have to have patience, commitment, dedication and move forward as advice. They have to be aggressive. The most important is attitude. That is something they have to prepare their mindset to get ready for that.

Q Everyone can handle success, how failures can handle, especially for today's generation?

A The term is called failure which we

never used ideally. Because even if you say it is a failure, failure is the first step. I don’t say that this is a stepping stone, it is the first step to success. We all had heard the story of Robert Cruse who has attempted and failed multiple times. And then he learned the lesson from a spider. He kept on attempting, attempting, attempting until he succeeded.

Failure should always be taken as a lesson or a second lesson or third lesson, you keep trying, keep trying until you succeed.

Determination is something we need to have. Persistence is very important what I seem to do. You should always keep putting effort, don't run back or think that this is not my cup of tea or I won't be able to do it. Keep trying, you definitely succeed in one point or the other. This is what I strongly believe. If somebody says that you cannot do it and don't do it that January 2021

25

is the time when you have to tell yourself that you are able to do it, I am going to do it, I will definitely do it, definitely be successful. We must carry that kind of attitude. You will be successful in whatever you do, there is nothing that is called as impossible in this world. This is what I believe.

Q You have been associated with

many of the colleges. What kind of changes do you suggest for today's hospitality education?

A If you ask me about hospitality

education, I know there are institutions and colleges which prefer a four-year degree program or a three-year diploma program, all is good. But then the traditional way of operating hospitality education has to change, it should be high tech. From the time we learn and what you have now, right from the syllabuses has to change. We need to update ourselves. We still follow the same systems in the schools, even after 56 years. And we have to modify our syllabus to a certain extent. But don’t talk about the quite status, including IHMs across India.

We need to upgrade, we need to include new technology activities that are currently popular in the

26

January 2021

hospitality industry.

Today what happens is, a fouryear degree holder from one of the universities can't handle a hotels’ department or he doesn’t even understand when to start unless he goes through aggressive training program during his education. But otherwise, he may shoot out from the first walk into the hotel. Of course, the program can be for 4 years, but then I would suggest more than 2 years should be practical training and 2 years should be academic. So they should be allowed to go to hotels after each semester. For example, one semester in academics and the second one is hardcore training in a hotel, then third in classrooms and fourth in again hardcore training in a hotel. That is probably one way of aggressive training. So that after third-year or fourth year these kids are perfect, they can just enter and blend into the system. This is something that we need to create. That is the change that our hospitality industry should go through. And include all the latest activities happening, we need to upgrade ourselves.

Q What do you like to speak to

people, especially youngsters?

What is the advice for how they can focus on coming months after the pandemic?

A Corona, I think, it is an opportunity

if you look at it that way. For those who sit down and cry, absolutely there is no chance. You can do so many things during corona. I have seen a lot of my friends in the industry who have not even wasted one instance, an inspiration to all youngsters. I heard a lot of Hotel management colleges had no good luck in terms of admission. Some of them have 50 per cent, some have 30 per cent, some have 70 per cent of admission, not to that extent the people use to come to hotel management. That trend is gone down purely because hospitality is badly affected during COVID. Yes, we are the last one to recover after COVID. But we will be the most successful of the industries to bounce back and to do so well in the next few months. Probably you would see that the hospitality or hotel industry, the tourism industry will boom to such an extent. The people who are all stuck at homes who rely on the values of their life and relationship with the family are travelling with their family to various destinations and most of the hotels

and resorts do very well for them.

And for those youngsters who are stepping into the industry, welcome to the beautiful industry, enjoy this industry, and the future in this industry is immense. Do not look at it as one six months, 8 months, or 10 months when the industry stands still, now we start to see the signs of recovery. I am very confident that we will do well in terms of the entire industry, the travel fraternity, the hospitality fraternity, the tourism industry as such the entire industry is bouncing back. All of us are going to do very well and this definitely could happen soon. The youngsters who are reluctant to get into the tourism, hospitality industry, please do not.

Restrict yourself and get into the industry.

This is one of the most promising industries where you can do so well and you can live a wonderful life. This is something you really enjoy because you can interact with a lot of people. Not even one day is monotonous, every day is different, each day, and the industry is different. I have two and a half decades of experience but I felt it was like two and a half years, that quickly the number of years gone. I enjoyed every moment in my work in the hospitality industry right from the Taj.

January 2021

27

CULINARY

EAT BY CITRINE—AN ODE TO KERALA’S CULINARY LEGACY

T

he soft buttery flavour of freshly caught fish enhanced by subtle spices that tantalise yet do not overpower. And what was that undertow? Could it be betel leaves or maybe it’s mmm… this is what trying out the Meen Vettilayil Pollichathu feels like. An almost forgotten recipe from the valleys of Malabar authentically recreated at Eat by Citrine For Prasad Manjali, the founder of Citrine, ‘EAT by Citrine is an attempt to bring the forgotten flavours of the food and beverage concept that rekindles an ancient tradition, blending taste and health in unique mouth-watering dishes.’

It promises an exclusive experience of the slowly fading flavours of the past. Each dish is a legacy with its own story closely tied to the vibrant culture of past Kerala.

28

January 2021

A revival of forgotten flavours Traditional cuisine has faded into obscurity amidst the modern demand for easily accessible fast food. The time and care required in the preparation of each dish deters many from attempting to recreate them. While you might have heard grandmothers reminisce about the dishes that they enjoyed during childhood, it is often near impossible to recreate them in our homes today, given our fast paced lives. A lot of these heavenly recipes are forgotten and even their names are unfamiliar to the current generations. EAT By Citrine brings back those dreamy flavours, carefully recreated, after years of painstaking research. They offer a veritable array of dishes from all over Kerala including delicacies from the innermost recesses of

January 2021

29

tribal settlements in various parts of Kerala. Many of these are recipes carefully handed down through generations.

The secret behind delicious dishes They say “Great ingredients make great food”. Vipin Unnikrishnan, Executive Chef at EAT by Citrine takes this maxim very seriously indeed! For the masala blends they organically source the base ingredients which are then sun dried and hand ground to retain their true essence and to ensure the best quality.

“This was the way it was done in the past” says Prasad Manjali “and so we have 100% confidence in our ingredients because we make it ourselves”. So the secret seems

30

January 2021

simple—uncompromising quality when it comes to ingredients.

Where taste meets health There’s no overpowering spice or masalas in any of the dishes and that is probably because the masalas are used very sparingly.

As many of these dishes were created by farming communities and tribals there was minimal use of oil and other spices which were often very expensive back then. As such none of their dishes are heavy.

It’s quite a discovery to realise that a deliciously satiating experience does not need to be heavy on the stomach or even unhealthy.

Tasting Zone comes to Kerala This is a unique dining experience

where small portions of several dishes are offered as combos in the tasting menu. This is a wonderful experience for all those foodies who love to experience new flavours, for you can try out a variety of dishes at a go. The portions together are enough to make you pleasantly full.

Sampling of dishes are also offered on a complimentary basis to guests, so you can try out a dish to see if it is to your liking. This lets you make an informed choice, offering myriad varieties of dishes to cater to different palates. Whether you prefer the rich and fiery Attinkal Paya, the aromatic Kozhi Gundu Milagu Curry or the tangy flavour of Thenga Aracha Meen Curry, you can trust that you will find a dish that not only meets but exceeds expectations.

A CITRINE Venture “EAT by Citrine is a big plan of Citrine Hospitality Ventures Pvt. Ltd. With the rising demand for expertly created food in Kerala, we developed the idea of Eat by Citrine”, says Samson Benedict, Director, Citrine Hospitality. They have several other projects lined up as well.

Vipin Unnikrishnan, Executive Chef

Stage of EAT by Citrine — Research, Passion and Commitment Stage of EAT by Citrine, is a platform where all these exotic dishes are carefully researched and chefs trained. Citrine recruits fresh graduates of Hotel Management and trains them in the preparation of these traditional recipes so that when a new outlet is planned, these chefs are ready to take over.

The re creation of the authentic flavours took 5-6 years of research in specific areas like Kozhimala, tribal regions from North to South of Kerala, etc, explains Vipin Unnikrishnan. After that, extensive surveys were taken, over several months, where food samples were given to people in the food industry and opinions carefully noted. Even the combos seems to have been carefully researched because while the dishes themselves are delicious the combination makes for a transcendent experience.

Beyond mere satiation of hunger, EAT by Citrine promises a joyous experience of a forgotten past. And they are open from 16th November in Trivandrum, near UST Global and Infosys Campus.

Samson Benedict,

Director, Citrine Hospitality

32

January 2021

Give those past flavours a try and add a few to your present.

SOCIETY

UN WOMEN LAUDS KERALA AS LIGHTHOUSE, SIGNS PACT WITH STATE’S GENDER PARK

H

ailing Kerala as the ‘lighthouse of the global south’ in women empowerment, UN Women today entered into an agreement that recognized the state government’s Gender Park as South Asia’s hub for gender equality.

While the world body reiterated that Kerala has been a role model for the rest of the world through exemplary leadership in gender equality initiatives, Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan described the partnership as a “step in the right direction” to further the cause of a “just and equal society”.

Dr P T M Sunish, CEO of The Gender Park which is an autonomous body under the state government, signed the MoU with UN Women Deputy Country Representative Ms Nishtha Satyam at Cliff House the Chief Minister’s official residence here. The two officials exchanged the agreement, marking the start of many ambitious projects where

the UN Women will offer project development and capacity building to The Gender Park for the empowerment of women in South Asia.

“Undoubtedly, Kerala is one of the best places in the region to emerge as a hub of gender discourse,” Shri Vijayan said. Noting that the state’s women are among the country’s most educated, he quoted a recent official survey that cited a rise in female workforce participation to 20.4 per cent in 2018-19 from16.4 per cent in 2017-18.

The Chief Minister stressed the need for social enterprises and businesses to be gender-inclusive so as to empower communities.

“This is important for us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” he said, adding that the government looks forward to the cooperation with UN Women and its contributions to Kerala society.

January 2021

33

34

January 2021

January 2021

35

36

January 2021