Remembering visions, values & passions

B. Govinda Rao18 September 1917 – 28 October 2011

B.Govinda Rao at Ninety: A TributeExcerpts from a letter written by Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer

If history of Hotel Industry in the mega city Kochi comes to be written, one name will stand out as an outstanding centre of homely, lovely accommodation and happy, wholesome food. That is Bharat Tourist Home, popularly known as BTH.

The life of Sri Govinda Rao is a saga of an individual who believes in work and service and thus could rise from his humble beginning to the peak of success in life.

Prosperity never flattered him nor made him idle.

Govinda Rao is an affectionate name for me and many and BTH an enchanting, non-exploitative home away from home, elegant without affluence, abundant without profusion – a charming paradigm, an invitation for relaxation, rest and delectable cuisine culture.

Born as 2nd Son among the 10 children of Smt Rugmini Ammal & Sri Srinivasa Ayya; the family lived in the small village of Padubidri near Udupi..

At the age of 10, Govinda Rao accompanied his father to Tripunithura; while his father was the chief priest of Purnathrayeesa Temple, young Govinda Rao spent his early years as the ‘Theertha maani’ and lived in the Hill Palace as playmate and companion to the then Prince of Kochi Royal Family – gaining proficiency in Sanskrit, Ayurveda and Astrology

At the early age of 19, he married Smt Padmavathy – his soul mate for almost seven decades – her loss was something that he never fully recovered from….

In his early twenties, the energetic & ambitious young Rao started his culinary adventure in a small shack in Aalumkadavu (present Broadway)..His initial ventures did not take off..Not loosing his spirit, he pursued a small canteen in the Magistrate Court Complex.

After an early setback in business, Govinda Rao is said to have worked as a cook in this house in Bangalore for a short period…

During the Second World War, fighting all fears of the war, the young entrepreneur re-set up his hotel to cater primarily to the Military personnel. During this time he earned his name ‘Chapathi Sami’ – as the person who introduced Chapathi to Kerala!..Slowly the business grew and there were four restaurants serving clean healthy vegetarian food - now not to the army, but to the foodies of Ernakulam..

The eateries were popular not just for the food, but for the warmth and personal care that Govinda Rao showered on each of his customers..

Old Jaya Bharat Cafe

Old Nava Bharat Cafe

Bharat Coffee House – still in its old location

Bharat Lodge

The present BTH building in DH Road had its beginning as this humble thatched structure which housed the Kerala Fine Arts Society (of which Sri Govinda Rao was a founding member and Patron) along with a small outlet of BTH. In due course, Fine Arts Society was shifted to its present location…

In 1964, Bharat Tourist Home was born in its present location in DH Road, Ernakulam..

15 January 1964 – Inauguration of BTH by Central Minister Sri.A.M. Thomas

Sri.A.M.Thomas with Sri Govinda Rao

Since 1964, BTH has hosted thousands of guests – from International Heads of States to luminaries in all walks of life – yet the place has been a haven of comfort to the average middle class citizen – with its simple clean décor, homely food and the above all the warm smile of Sri Govinda Rao

Among the stalwarts who with their presence have made BTH proud include

Former Governor General of India - Sri.C.RajagopalachariFormer Prime Minister of India – Sri. Lal Bahadur ShastriFormer Prime Minster of India – Sri. Rajiv GandhiFormer Central Ministers Sri Gulsari Lal Nanda, Sri A.M.Thomas, Sri NijalingappaFormer Chief Ministers Sri.Achutha Menon, Sri.K.KarunakaranPresent Central Minister for Defence Sri.A.K.AntonyChief Minister Sri Oommen ChandyMinister Sri.K.BabuEminent Architect Sri Laurie BakerMr. Francisio Rongish, Fisheries Director ManilaGana Gandharvan Sri KJ Yesudas, Sri KS Gopalakrishnan ……

Former Prime Minister Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri visits Bharat Tourist Home

Former Prime Minister Sri. Rajiv Gandhi and Former Chief Minister Sri. K.Karunakaran at BTH

B.Govinda Rao greeting Sri Rajiv Gandhi

Central Minister Sri A K Antony – a good friend and well wisher of Sri Govinda Rao

Sri Oommen Chandy, Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala & Sri Govinda Rao shared a special rapport..

Minister for Excise & Ports – Sri K Babu – a well wisher of BTH...

Smt Jyothi Venkatachalam, Former Governor of Kerala honoured by Smt Padmavathy Govinda Rao

Sri Govinda Rao & Former Chief Minister of Kerala ,Sri Achutha Menon

Former Central Minister Sri Nijalingappa with B Govinda Rao

Former Central Minister Unnikrishnan on a visit to BTH

With Sri Dominic Presentation..

With late Sri George Eden…

Sri.Sankaranarayanan – present Governor of Mahrashtra and Sri K C Abraham, former KPCC President and former Governor of Andhra Pradesh

Sri Govinda Rao honouring Sri KP Madhavan Nair; also on dais is Speaker Sri Therambil Ramakrishnan

Former Central Minister Sri AC George gracing the wedding of Sri Govinda Rao’s daughter

With his charismatic personality, commitment and hard work, Sri Govinda Rao not only succeeded in his personal hoteliering business, but also played a significant role in strengthening the Hotel Industry of Kerala.He founded the Kerala Hotel & Restaurant Association (KHRA) and served as its General Secretary for 18 years and as its President for 12 years.

He also served as President - Ernakulam Chamber of Commerce.

Sri Govinda Rao addressing a KHRA meeting

Education was another sector where Sri Govinda Rao had deep commitment to..He has been Patron to the Bhavans Vidya Bhavan Schools, Ernakulam; The Sree Venkiteswara School, Tripunithura &Vidyodaya School , Thevakkal.

Sri Govinda Rao was not just a ‘hotelier’ – but he was more prominently know for the interest, encouragement and untiring efforts that he often put in for several socio-cultural institutions. Some of them include:

Patron of Rama Navami Committee.

Patron of Ernakulam Siva Kshetra Kshema Samithy.

Was actively associated with several prominent temples including Malliyoor Temple, Amman Kovil Diwans Road, Madhwa Mandiram, Embran Madom, Nadavaramba Temple, Udupi Sree Krishna Temple, Subramanya, Ramesewaram and many more..

Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt

With the highly respected Malliyoor Sankaran Namboodhiri during the occasion of ‘Kattilavaipu’ for Malliyoor Temple..

Sri Satya Sai Baba with Govinda Rao

With young international visitors….

Eminent Architect Laurie Baker and Sri Govinda Rao shared similar values in their respective professions..

Justice V R Krishna Iyer with Sri Govinda Rao

Former Chief Justice Sri Raghavan

Sri.Dominic Kuruvinakunnel – founder of Cgh Earth Experience Hotels & Sri Govinda Rao

Playback singer Sri P Jayachandran performing in BTH

Sri Sankanarayanan’s music concert

Padmasri Dr.K.J.Yesudas – a regular guest in BTH for many of his early years…

The Silver Jubilee Celebration of BTH was graced by several luminaries who were all friends and well wishers of Sri Govinda Rao…

Sri Govinda Rao on his 80th Birthday with Sri AM Thomas, Justice Radhakrishna Menon, Sri Sebastin Paul, Sri George Eden, Sri Kerala Varma Raja, Sri Balachandran

Justice Paripoornan and Justice Sankara Subban greeting Sri Govinda Rao on his 80th Birthday

Sri A.M.Thomas honouring Sri Govinda Rao on his 80th Birthday

Sri K S Gopalakrishnan, eminent Flautist with Smt & Sri Govinda Rao after a concert on his 80th Birthday

Kerala Tulu Brahmana Federation honouring Sri Govinda Rao on his 80th Birthday

Peacefully celebrating his 90th Birthday with his staff in BTH

Sharing a lighter moment on his 90th Birthday with his favourite nephew Sri Mohan Rao, Sri K Babu, Sri KMI Mather & Sri Sharafudin

At the age of 92, Sri Govinda Rao adorned another feather in his cap when BTH became the 1st Vegetarian Hotel to receive ISO Certification. With Sri Venugopal C Govind on the occasion.

With Hon. Mayor of Cochin Sri Tony Chammany

With Justice Surendra Mohan who has been a family friend since the time of his father late Adv. Kuriakose – close friend of Sri Govinda Rao for many years..

A romantic husband, an inspiring father, a caring big brother, a respected family head, a doting grandfather – he made each member the family feel that they were special…..

With his parents, brothers, cousins, children, nephews and nieces…

With cousin brother Sri Venkatarayar

Govinda Rao with his three brothers three decades back…

Govinda Rao with his three brothers three years back…

Sri Govinda Rao with other stalwarts of Tulu community including Sri Bagilthaya – former DGP Karnataka Police, Sri.Srinivasa Rao – founder Dwaraka Hotel, Sri.Ramachandra Rao – founder Woodlands, Ernakulam, Sri Seetharama Rao – founder Dasaprakash Hotels, Bangalore, Sri Ramachandra Rao – Brindavan Hotels Bangalore…

Adv G.V.Ramanan (brother-in-law of Sri Govinda Rao) & Smt Ammini – a relationship which he cherished and respected. Adv Ramanan was also the legal advisor during the initial years of his business..

With brothers and close family members…

Smt Padmavathy Govinda Rao with her co-sisters..

Celebrating his 60th Birthday with his mother, nephews, nieces & grandchildren…

With neighbours Just Appu Nair and eminent businessman Sri Rangan

A.K.Rajan, Shashankan, Baby… lesser known pillars of strength of ‘Valiasami’….

An overview of BTH Group’s Establishments…

BTH Bharat Hotel, Gandhi Square, Ernakulam – 90 room ISO certified Hotel

Dosa Express at Oberon Mall

Earlier Restaurant Outlets of BTH

Govindam Block at Sarovaram

Asked why BTH remains vegetarian and does not serve alcohol, Sri Govinda Rao used to reaffirm constantly

“ I would never serve any food or drink which can cause damage to health; I do not wish to build my business staking my customers’ health. I do not want to make money with such a business. I will never do it”.

“Ignoring or running away from tough situations is never going to help you. Take problems head on and you will be enriched by such experiences – whether you succeed or not”..

He used to advise his staff and co-workers

“ BTH does not need any advertisement. If we keep our premises clean, if we serve tasty, healthy food and treat our customers with courtesy, that itself is enough”…..

Sri Govinda Rao