By Sameer Majli
Nestled cozily in the greenest part of town is a sweet little place that will grace the annals of history with the dawn of 2013. Established about 35 years ago, “Hotel Green” is a ‘known-to-all’ garden restaurant set amidst the lush greenery and sky craving trees of the Cantonment area. It’s a place where the whistling of the wind and the little sweet sounds of the birds still reach out to the soul, away from the honking craziness of the maddening traffic woes that symbolize the so-called progress of this quiet little wonderful Belgaum, our hometown.
The original owner of this property is Mr. Freddie Nanaji and the place was leased out to the Vithal Hegde group who have for years fed the tantalizing temptations of our taste buds at this wonderful garden eatery. In its earlier days, Hotel Green used to be a host to launch parties and even press conferences. Many cine celebrities like Nana Patekar, Raj Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Rekha to name a few, have even stayed here to experience its serene bliss.
As the nation awakens to a whole new realization of the citizen’s responsibilities in the wake of the unfortunate events at the national capital, as believers settle down to rejoice and thank the heavens for the false alarm of dooms day, as revelers prepare and get together to greet the new year with a party larger than the ones before, Hotel Green and its management prepare to vacate the premises. The furniture is packed and being loaded onto dispatch vehicles, the cutlery and cooking aids cease their usual urge to dish out tasty indulgences, the employees look around to find other means of living, the trees and plants stare at vacant sitting spaces that once had the enthusiastic chatter of civilization; 2013 is not as Green as it used to be.
What will happen to the premises is something that only time will tell.
Will the glory be revived? Will ‘The Green turn into Pink’ or maybe a Blue or Gold with a whole new management with a whole new theme and concept restaurant? Will the sharing of joys and sorrows of the human return to the ears of the trees? Will the aroma of the spice and smoke of the tandoor engulf the area again? Will the tinkling ice cubes taking their dives into glasses and the cheers of the toasts to the occasion with the Smirnoff’s and the Black Labels, ever be back?
I guess my guess is as good as yours.
Here’s to wishing that 2013 makes things only better and greener than before.
In this age when the theme of “Go Green” makes headlines and craves attention, this “Go Green” is the saddening bit that touches somewhere deep inside.
PLEASE “DON’T, GO GREEN”!!
Really sad to know. I have spent most of my college life in this wonderful & peaceful place. Can’t believe it won’t be there when I go back to Belgaum. Really really sad!!
ಯ್ಯಾಕೆ …? ತು೦ಬಾ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿತ್ತು ನಮ್ “ಗ್ರೀನ್”. ಹಸಿರಿನ ಮಧ್ಯ ಅಹಾರ ಸೇವನೆ ರಮಣಿಯ ಅನುಭವ ನೀಡುತಿತ್ತು. ಬೇಜಾರ್……….