WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, 5th June 2011

World Environment Day (WED) is observed on June 5 every year to promote awareness on environment protection. A series of events are observed across the globe by major organizations and groups. This year we took it upon ourselves to undertake an awareness drive across the city to protect nature and keep the city clean.

On the eve of World Environment Day Hotel Royal Orchid conducted a host of events across the city to spread awareness about environment conservation. The whole awareness drive was made successful by participation from hotel employees, long staying guests at the hotel as well as frequent guests to the Hotels F&b outlets. It served as a great reminder of how we can all contribute to environment protection at an individual level. We thought we would share some of our activities to show how proud and inspired we are about the drive.

Distribution of brochures made out of recycled paper.

To emphasize the advantages of recycled paper, brochures made out of recycled paper were distributed across the city. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce cutting of trees and protecting the environment.

Cyclothon

With the emphasis on reducing pollution by using cycles to ride to work a cyclothon was conducted from the Hotel towards HAL and back.

Planting trees

5 long staying guests of the hotel planted a Neem tree each in the lawns at the hotel with their names which shall be nurtured and grown by us on their behalf.

 

Celebration of Birthday of the plants planted last year

A small cake cutting celebration was held on the occasion of the 2nd Birthday of the baby plant in the hotel lawns, planted in 2009 for world environment day.

 

Spreading awareness about environment preservation is vital to the ultimate goal of a cleaner, healthier environment. The environment will not heal by itself; everyone needs to work towards it.

Hospitality Industry

The Hospitality industry in India is slated for an explosion. The current share of India in world tourism is estimated to be only 0.49%.The tourism industry in India employs, directly or indirectly, only 50 lakh people – and the industry is estimated to be growing at an ever increasing pace of 10% to 12% every year. Research also shows that the average stay of a foreign guest, in India is 31.2 days which is also slated to grow as India’s knowledge based economy emerges. The growth in manpower requirement in hospitality industry is expected to rise by 127% by 2016.  

Both national and international brands are vying hungrily at this exploding market and trying to grab the increasing pie. As per industry estimates, at least 3 lakh jobs will be created directly or indirectly by the hospitality industry within the next 2 yrs pan India.

We at Royal Orchid Hotels are looking at gaining a monopoly in this ever growing industry. With robust expansion plans in place, we are looking to soon open properties in Jaipur, Hyderabad, Baroda, Mumbai and Delhi/NCR.

As of now we have 1407 rooms and our aim is to make this figure read 2000 rooms by December 2012. Currently the group has over 2000 employees and are looking at adding a further 2000 employees by December 2011.

Having identified and understood this increasing need in the hospitality industry and to ensure that we are geared up for this explosion, Royal

Orchid Hotels has created a course to ensure that skilled labor is made available to the industry. Developing the scalable skill set, has been recognized as the key to improve the standard of the hospitality industry in the country.

The Course:

The certification programs will be offered in the following areas:

1. Certificate Program in Front Office
2. Certificate Program in Food & Beverages–Service
3. Certificate Program in Housekeeping

The certification process is done by American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), an independent body based out of USA which conducts the final examination and awards the merit certificates. The course content comes from the USA and AHLA certificates are globally accepted as a mark of high level of professional achievement. Even the course material comes from USA.

The certificate, which is globally recognized will open gates for any hospitality professional who is ambitious and looking to grow. Equipped with this certificate, students can also look for a career in alternate avenues viz. cabin crew members, cruise liners, service apartments, facility management companies, entertainment companies, travel agencies, retail chains, call centers etc.

The certification process of the program is based on a sound academic learning which is a mix of theory and practical classes run by full time faculty members who are available at Royal Orchid Hotels.

This program aims at people who hail from the marginalized segment of the society. We can see educational institutions mushrooming around street corners; while they run a 3 or 4 year program and charge an amount which can be borne by children of affluent families, The program, which aims at sharpening of skills is meant for people at the bottom of the pyramid so as to empower them and give them courage to move forward in their career.

Royal Orchid Hotels offers to employ each of the students who passes out successfully and completes the certification process, unless they desire to work with some employer or become entrepreneurs of high repute.

This program helps a person to step out into the competitive world of job market with skills and gives him / her confidence of facing the world with confidence. It empowers them to choose their employer and gives them mobility to move across varied locations and the power to beat the competitive job market in the long run. Students who undergo this certification program come out to be much more professionally mature and turn out to be more sensitive and smart as compared to others. Their openness to learn from others is cultivated through various role plays and practical sessions.

Eligibility

Following are the criteria for seeking admission in the course:

a)    Age ≥ 18 yrs

b)   8th or 10th Pass

c)    Should be able to comprehend (read and understand) in English language

The Investment

The course fees is Rs. 8,500/-. This includes cost of books procured from USA, certification charges, expenses of faculty and infrastructure, handouts and cost of uniform.

Therefore this program which Royal Orchid Hotels is a part of is to ensure that people get empowered, decrease under/Unemployment. It also gives the company an opportunity to do its bit towards the people of the nation in the most hospitable of ways which is what you can expect from one of the pioneers of the hospitality industry.

Aromas of Kashmir at Hotel Royal Orchid

In a country like India where culture defines diversity, connecting each other through food is indeed a celebration!

Food festivals that depict the rich cultures of Indian origin are celebrated world wide. Be it a Bengali food festival or even a Gujrati, Punjabi, Mughlai or Marwari food festival. We have come to see that Indian food actually represents an umbrella with various colours and Hotel Royal Orchid decided to bring in a splash of one of these colours into the restaurant this time.

Globally known as ‘The Paradise on Earth” – Kashmir has been renowned not only for its picturesque scenic beauty but also for its vibrant cultures and delectable cuisine. Rich Kashmiri cuisine finds its roots way back in the fifteenth century, when the professional cooks of Samarkand in Uzbekistan migrated to India and settled down in Kashmir. Over the years authentic Kashmiri cuisine has come to be influenced by the food of the traditional Kashmiri Pandits while some of the features of the cooking style are adopted from regions like Central Asia, Persia and Afghanisthan.

A traditional Kashmiri ‘thali’ comprises of ‘Wazwan’- a Kashmiri multi course meal. Though a Kashmiri palate prefers non-vegetarian dishes; the extensive menu also includes a variety of vegetarian delicacies. The detailed preparation of delicacies and their traditional presentation adds to the charm of the authentic Kashmiri cuisine. Preparing the meal itself demands a lot of dedication and passion. The Wazwan encompasses approximately 36 dishes that include delicious desserts. The preparation and fabulous aromatic flavor of the Kashmiri food is so alluring that even those who are not feeling hungry end up yearning for more.

Hotel Royal Orchid celebrated the variant flavors of Kashmir – ‘Dawat-e-Kashmir’ in Bangalore with  the ‘Kashmiri Wazwaan’ from 20th to 27^th February. Chef Bashir Concha, who came all the way from  Kashmir to give the city the delight of Kashmiri cuisine to food lovers in Bangalore, truly stole the  limelight.

All through the food festivals Chef Bashir Concha prepared typical Kashmiri meals with countless  exotic ingredients like Pran – Shallots, Munaqqas’ (Big dark Raisins with seeds & Hak- a green leafy  vegetable brought from the region itself.

The extensive buffet spread included dishes like Gosthaba, Tabak Maaz, Palak Rishta, Seekh Kabab,    Roghan Josh, Kukkur Marchwangun korma, Kukkur Dhaniwal korma, Kukkur Lahabdar korma,  Ruhwangun Gadh(fish), Dum Aloo, Palak Chaman (paneer), Razmah, Nadru Kabab, Manje Kael, Kan  Guch pulao and many more. The main course will be topped with irresistible deserts like Doodh Al  (pumpkin Chatni), Doon Chetin (walnut chantis), Apple Phirni, Apple Halwa and Kongh Phirni  (saffron kheer).

After dining at Hotel Royal Orchid and enjoying the authentic delicacies of Kashmir, one has to admit that the experience actually gave a true flavour of the region.

The aromas of Kashmir are truly delicious and have absolutely no comparison!

The year that was…

As we draw curtains on the wonderful year 2010- we reflect how it was a year of celebration for us at Royal Orchid – celebration with a lot of colour, fun & gusto and also a mark of difference. It was a year of achievement, progress, growth and the continuation of a wonderful journey for us.

The biggest feather on our  cap, or rather chef’s hat was  Chef Rana from Paparazzi-  Royal Orchid Central being  announced King of  Chefs at the Kingfisher  Explocity restaurant week.  The restaurant week  focussed on fusion food and  our chef was KING amongst  all. Kudos to him. The year  was filled with loads of delicious food festivals right from the Lebanese food festival to special delights for Onam and Eid. We also played hosts to several special events: the biggest one that concluded recently was the Royal Orchid Art Camp! Acclaimed artists from all over the country camped together at our hotel and brought out their creative streaks all through the week- it was a visual treat for all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 also marked our entry into two new destinations – the financial capital of India – Mumbai and the quaint little landscape of Hospet near the UNESCO World Heritage site Hampi. Royal Orchid Central Grazia at Navi Mumbai is our property designed to cater to the modern, discerning business traveller and offers a completely new experience redefining star services available at affordable costs.  Royal Orchid Central Kireeti- Hospet is a luxury property ideal for the business and leisure traveler. This luxurious hotel equipped with modern amenities and surrounded by the historic and mythological remains makes for a perfect holiday.

What we were able to  achieve in 2010 would not  had been possible without  you being with us by our  side. So let the celebrations  continue- we have a lot of  things planned for you this  New Year. Read on and join  us.

Come & be a part of the celebration of a life time only at Royal Orchid Hotels

Have a happy & prosperous New Year !!!

 

 

Royal Orchid Central Pune – Illuminating Lives this Diwali ! – makes the festival a special one for special children

In India we celebrate Diwali for numerous reasons; it signifies the victory of good over evil and marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. We each pray for happiness, good health and prosperity and wear new clothes to mark fresh departures.

Amongst all the age old traditions that we play out to celebrate this festival of lights the most important is the tradition of giving back. What better way to be thankful for the gifts you received, then give back to the world. So on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, we at Royal Orchid hosted a gala celebratory event for underprivileged children.

We realize that the best way to make a real difference in a child’s life is to spend valuable time with them. Millions of children in our community lack the basic amenities of life and we wanted to reach out and spread some cheer this festive season.

On the eve of Diwali this year the Royal Orchid Central, Pune hosted a fun-filled evening of celebrations for underprivileged children looked after by the Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra. It was heart warming to see the sun-shine smiles of the children as they enjoyed themselves thoroughly during the games and laughingly lit up fire crackers. Absorbed during the movie screening, it was the only time that evening that they sat in a rapt silence. Their unabashed joy at the pizzas and burgers and their lively merriment was contagious, the hotel staff had every bit as much fun as the children did.

As they say, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

The Baljee Foundation – How and Why

At Royal Orchid Hotels, we have a strong will to dedicate our resources towards the diverse social problems in our country. In view of the same, the Baljee foundation was established in the year 2007. As part of the Baljee Foundation, we believe in taking a holistic approach to serve the society to our best possible ability.

Started with a strong objective, Mr Baljee and Royal Orchid group key investors have been pivotal to the development of the foundation. Every year, 85% of the foundations income is generated for a particular cause. Under the able guidance of the trustees – Mrs. & Mr. Baljee, the foundation is working earnestly; hand – in – hand to help raise funds for genuine causes. Baljee foundation partners with various organizations across the country those are committed to find solutions to social issues.

In the year 2008-09, the foundation made donations to Friends of Tribal Society to impart free elementary education to tribal children in the villages of Karnataka and also to take care of the fees of the tutor in these village schools. In the same year, the Baljee foundation also made donations to Ashoka Innovators to encourage social entrepreneurs to create innovative solutions, deliver extraordinary results, and improve the lives of millions of people.

Taking the same drive  forward, in the year 2009 –  10, Baljee foundation  donated blankets to Home  for the aged in Bangalore  called ‘Friends in need’ and  also sponsored Insulin for a  period of 3 months to  prisoners in Central prison  Bangalore.

On the other hand, in order to encourage people to be financially independent, Baljee foundation also donated a paper cup manufacturing machine to Cluny Convent School encouraging the specially challenged to stand on their own feet. With the same vision in mind, 15 sewing machines were donated to National Council Women, Shimla.

The Baljee foundation strongly believes that education is the key to achieve desired changes in the lives of the under privileged children. The only way to ensure a better future for such children would be by providing them, means of attaining good education.

For Mrs. and Mr Baljee,  employees of Royal Orchid  are like an extended family.  As charity always begins at  home, Baljee Foundation  has been supporting the  education of children of  employees between grade  one and grade four.  Donations towards the same  cause have been made in the  last quarter of the last fiscal thus empowering these children to be better citizens. This will continue in future too

Royal Orchid Hotels – Doing our small bit

Did you know that in India there are…**

• 12 million blind people (one third of the world’s total)
• 45 million partially sighted people
• 6.5 million blind or partially sighted children
• More than 4,50,000 deaf blind children
• Each year the number of blind people in India rises by 30,000

United Way of Bengaluru - a non-profit organization committed to raising community levels in education, healthcare in & around Bengaluru, recently joined hands with Royal Orchid Hotels in caring for the blind.

United Way of Bengaluru has been striving hard to bring a change in lives of blind/partially blind people here in the city. In the past they have organised several fund raising ventures like walkathons etc to provide eye-care and help to the needy in our community. This year they organised a Corporate Quiz on Eye Care and through the same raise funds to help the blind.

In our attempt to do our bit  for the society and reach  out to those who need help,  Royal Orchid played hosts  to this Quiz. This quiz was  held at Hotel Royal Orchid  and more than 80 teams  representing 30 corporate  houses participated in a nail  biting competition. The  winners of the quiz were Intuit, HP and Manipal University respectively.

Through this event United Way of Bengaluru was successful in raising close to Rs 8 lakhs in cash and in kind which will be go towards restoring the vision of poor people and preventing treatable blindness.

We at Royal Orchid are glad  that we could, in a small way  contribute to the  organisation and its cause.  Every little act of kindness    matters and as a hospitality  group this was our small  contribution

** According to The Invisible Children