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Meet the man behind Reddys Gokul Brindavan in Nagpur!
If you drive by the Indian Coffee House Square at West High Court Road, Dharampeth, in Nagpur, the rich aroma coming from the South Indian restaurant Reddys Gokul Brindavan is bound to fill up your nostrils. Nagpurians who have a penchant for South Indian food hold the place in high regards and the fact that the place is crowded almost all the time is a testimony to that. Prasanna Reddy, the owner of Reddys Gokul Brindavan in an interview with Nation Next speaks about his famous restaurant, the history behind it and its USP.
Excerpts:
When and how did Reddys Gokul Brindavan start? What was the idea behind it?
My father, late Madiralla Narsa Reddy was the man behind Gokul Brindavan. Though I have been born and brought up in Nagpur, my family basically hails from Andhra Pradesh. In 1959, my father came to Nagpur for pursuing LLB. He and his friends observed that students in Nagpur hostels weren’t really satisfied with the food. While in his 2nd year, at the age of 22, he along with his fellow batch mates took a place (the place where Gokul Brindavan is situated even today) on rent and started a small food unit called as Reddy Mess. The business picked up momentum soon and many students coming to Nagpur for their education started eating at the mess. The unit was such a success that to manage it my father had to give up his education in the 2nd year itself. Later, in 1982, my elder brother Manamatha Reddy aka Munna also started supporting my father in the business.
Whats the average footfall and the daily turnover which Gokul Brindavan experiences
On an average, we have around 700-800 customers who visit us on Sundays, roughly 500-600 on Saturdays and around 350-450 on other weekdays. On Thursday, we have a half-day. On weekdays we have a daily turnover of around Rs 70,000 and on weekends, it gets doubled up and goes up to Rs 1.5 lakhs.
Gokul Brindavan is popularly known as Sunday breakfast joint. Has the consistency in this popularity and business always been there?
Initially when we started, we got a good response from the law, commerce and engineering students. But after five to six years, we started struggling with the inconsistency. But in 1992 when we renovated and rechristened Reddy Mess to Gokul Brindavan? we started getting a steady response again.
Gokul Brindavan is jam-packed most of the times. Haven?t you ever thought of diversifying or expanding it by either opening branches or issuing franchisees
We thought of it but we were hesitant and thought that we might not be able to match up with the quality, which we presently provide. If we talk about Haldirams, it provides food, which is more durable. The food we offer, that is dosa, idli, upma can’t survive in taste even if it is 20-30 minutes old. So, having one single base kitchen to maintain the quality and taste and multiple serving can’t be practically possible.
One reason not to extend your menu or cuisine may be due to poor response in the existing one. But Gokul Brindavan is already so much appreciated by its customers. Then why hasn’t it diversified itself in other cuisines than just South Indian?
We have got this suggestion many times but we do not have the confidence in serving other cuisines and we aren’t very sure if people will like the taste. Sambar, for instance has varied tastes in different regions. The sambar served in Hyderabad is very different in comparison with the sambar served in certain parts of Andhra Pradesh. We had to customise our sambar taste by mixing all the tastes keeping in mind our customers preferences. So, we are not really ready for a new cuisine but we can think of having add-ons in the existing menu. We once tried to introduce pongal, sambar rice and curd rice but didn’t get a satisfactory response so we discontinued it. Also, we have noticed that Nagpur foodies aren’t very welcoming about new items. They prefer and like what they have always had.
Ambience or interior of an eating joint plays a vital role. Gokul Brindavan has been known for maintaining a good hygiene and cleanliness always but have you never thought of renovation?
It has been almost 25 years that we have maintained the same old interiors. We want to renovate but then we are not really sure about where to serve our customers during the renovation time. We thought of so many alternate kitchens and places but nothing really worked out. We thought of renovating first in 2014 but we couldn’t execute it. Then we thought we will do in March 2016, but couldn’t do it again because of heavy customer footfalls.
Also read: Food review: Reddys Gokul Brindavan
Gokul Brindavan never discriminates between customers. Even a VIP will have to wait the same way others wait for a table. What has been the USP and success mantra of Gokul Brindavan?
We have always tried to maintain hygiene as much as we can. We wash rice for dosa paste in machines and try to avoid manual labour on it. The ghee used the upma we serve is fresh and 100% pure; we get it from our own dairy. Even the milk and curd we use is procured from our own farm and it’s because of that we’re confident that nobody will be able to match up with the quality we provide. Our Sambar is unique as our customers tell us and this is also because we never compromise with its raw material while preparing it. Things like dhaniya and mirchi are stored in advance together to maintain the consistency in the taste for the entire year.
Even when Gokul Brindavan is such a famous and popular name in Nagpur yet you and your family maintain a very low profile and a very silent social life?
We have always been very simple. A fascinating social life has never really attracted us. We spent time with very few people and even these people are work related. The owners of Barbecue at Sadar are our close friends. We hang out together and discuss food.
Nagpur News
Nagpur Youth Congress activists stage protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as MP
Members of Youth Congress Nagpur…
Members of Nagpur Youth Congress staged protest against former Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as Member of Parliament from Lok Sabha amid ‘Modi surname’ remark. The protest was held at Chhatrapati Square in the city on Saturday morning where members raised slogans hailing Gandhi.
When we spoke to Secretary, Maharashtra Youth Congress, Abhishek Dhawad, who led the protest, said, “It is an orchestrated attack on the democracy. And, BJP’s attempt to cripple the voice of Opposition by expunging Rahul Gandhiji is a testimony to the fact that the accusations hold weight and thus the BJP government needs to come clean.”
When asked about Gandhi’s accusation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi siding with business tycoon Gautam Adani, Dhawad quipped, “Adani’s meteoric rise couldn’t have happened without the former being hand in glove with the Centre. It’s the biggest scam in the history of mankind!”
Senior Congress leader and former Corporator Praful Gudadhe Patil, Nagpur District Secretary Mangesh Kamone, etc., marked their presence during the protest.
Gandhi, on Friday, was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP, a day after a Surat Court convicted him in a defamation case regarding Modi surname remark. The notification disqualifying the Wayanad MP was issued hours after Gandhi attended the morning session of Lok Sabha.
Gandhi, in 2019, had remarked, “Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi have Modi in their names.”
Also read: Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as MP bars him from contesting LS polls for 8 years?
Rare conjunction of Moon and Venus
A rare celestial event occurred on Friday evening when Moon and the brightest planet in our solar system Venus aligned in conjunction. The alignment was observed in various parts of the world, including Hyderabad, Chandrapur, Nagpur to name a few.
This conjunction is a relatively uncommon occurrence that happens when the two celestial bodies appear close to each other in the sky. The occurrence is particularly rare when the two are at their brightest.
By March-end this year, an alignment of five planets (Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Mars) in the skies will be witnessed, as seen from Earth. Five planets are set to align between March 25 to March 30 as Earth enters the equinox.
While all five planets continue to roam around each other in the final days of March, you will be able to see them the clearest on March 28.
Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as MP bars him from contesting LS polls for 8 years?
Also read: Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as MP bars him from contesting LS polls for 8 years?
Congress Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi was on Friday disqualified as Lok Sabha MP, a day after a Surat Court convicted him in a defamation case. The notification disqualifying the Wayanad MP was issued hours after Gandhi attended the morning session of Lok Sabha.
What does the notification read?
“Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Surat… Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency in Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction… in terms of the provisions of Article 102(!)(e) of the Constitution read with Section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,” the notification read.
Gandhi barred from contesting LS polls for 8 years?
As per law and legal experts, Gandhi’s disqualification came into ‘immediate and automatic’ effect upon his conviction and sentencing despite the grant of bail.
Former Congress leader and Union law minister Kapil Sibal told NDTV that Rahul stands automatically disqualified as an MP with his two-year jail sentence. He said, “If it (the court) only suspends the sentence that’s not enough. There has to be a suspension or stay of conviction. He (Rahul Gandhi) can stay on as a member of parliament only if there is a stay on the conviction.”
Sibal added, “For a statement made in respect of certain individuals, for him to be convicted for two years — it is totally bizarre.”
What does the law say?
The Representation of the People Act, 1951, (RPA) directs immediate disqualification of any lawmaker who is ‘convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years.’ The law also states that if one is convicted in any offence for two years then the seat will be vacant immediately.
Lawyer and senior BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani told NDTV, “By the operation of the law, he (Gandhi) stands disqualified, but the decision has to be communicated to the Speaker. But as of today, he stands disqualified.”
How can Gandhi avoid disqualification?
Gandhi will have to secure an order from a higher court suspending the conviction. The RPA states, “A person convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years [other than any offence referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2)] shall be disqualified from the date of such conviction and shall continue to be disqualified for a further period of six years since his release.”
It means, that apart from his jail term, Gandhi will not be able to contest polls for subsequent six more years.
Why the disqualification?
Surat Court, on Thursday, awarded two-year jail term to Gandhi in a defamation case for his ‘all thieves have Modi surname’ remark. The case was filed against Gandhi for his alleged ‘how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?’ remarks on a complaint lodged by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi.
The Court also imposed a fine of ₹15,000 after finding him guilty under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (dealing with defamation). However, he secured a bail in the same case.
Chief Judicial Magistrate HH Verma heard the final arguments regarding Gandhi’s 2019 remark, “Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi have Modi in their names.” Gandhi’s counsel Kirit Panwala said, “We will today send a message to Rahul Gandhi to remain present on March 23 in Surat district court. Most probably, he would be present in the court. We will get confirmation on Saturday.”
Gandhi made the alleged remarks while addressing a rally at Kolar in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi sentenced to 2 years in jail in Modi surname defamation case
Nagpur Youth Congress activists stage protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as MP
Skygazers witness rare, stunning conjunction of Moon and Venus in sky | Nagpur
Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as MP bars him from contesting LS polls for 8 years?
‘Parineeta,’ ‘Mardaani’ director Pradeep Sarkar passes away at 67
Rahul Gandhi sentenced to 2 years in jail in Modi surname defamation case
Queen’s coffin laid to rest in Edinburgh for the night
2 charred to death, 1 injured during funeral in Nagpur
SUV blows up parked cars, climbs on footpath leaving 5 injured at Nagpur’s Panchsheel Chowk
4 arrested for gang raping 30-yr-old at New Delhi railway station
8-yr-old sits by road with brother’s body as father tries to arrange vehicle to return home
Dance enthusiasts, friends pay tribute in loving memory of Tiki Peters in Nagpur
Nagpur’s who’s who seek Lord Shiva’s blessings during Gupta’s customary Maha Shivratri celebrations
Shivaji Jayanti celebrations held at DPS Kamptee in Nagpur
Nagpur’s 1st woman Mayor Kundatai Vijaykar, freedom fighter Leelatai Chitaley get felicitated at Shiv Shahi Mahotsav
