THE MUSIC? Hospitality Industry Versus Collecting Societies

MYSTIC EAST unexplored horizon A bi-monthly magazine by HRAEI | Vol 2 | Issue 1 | January - February 2016

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COVER STORY PLAY, PAY OR FACE THE MUSIC? Hospitality Industry versus Collecting Societies

DIRECTOR'S NOTE January - February 2016

Dear Fellow Members, MYSTIC EAST The tourism and hospitality sector in the A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE BY HRAEI country felt grossly neglected in the Union Vol 2 | Issue 1 | January - February 2016 Budget 2016. As we help earn the country a large chunk of foreign exchange, we de- served some tax cuts and incentives.On EDITORIAL BOARD the contrary, the service tax got increased SUDESH PODDAR to 15% from 14.5% in the Budget. PRESIDENT, HRAEI 'Krishi Kalyan Cess' at 0.5% will be levied RAVINDRA KUMAR KASHUKA on all taxable services, aimed at improve- MANAGING COMMITTEE MEMBER, HRAEI ment of agriculture and welfare of farm- SUBORNO BOSE ers. But eventually this will lead to all paid MANAGING COMMITTEE MEMBER, HRAEI services becoming dearer. Service tax has GOPAL DAS AGARWAL been consistently increasing over the past VICE PRESIDENT, HRAEI few years; it stood at 12.36% in 2013-14. The Prime Minister had promised a lot EDITORIAL CONSULTANT on job creation and poverty alleviation SUSMIT BARMAN Even though prior to the budget and the tourism and CHIEF DESIGNER hospitality sectors were the best engine to SOMU DUTTA the tourism and achieve this. Yet the Budget failed to offer these incentives to us. hospitality sector ‘Mystic East’ magazine is printed Finally, an increase on the excise duty and published by Atikram Gupta on behalf of Hotel helps earn the country on Aviation Turbine Fuel from 8% to 14% and Restaurant Association of Eastern India. will have some adverse impact on the sec- a big chunk of foreign Printed at CDC Printers Private Limited, No.45, tor. In short, this Budget is a big letdown Radha Nath Chowdhury Road, Tangra Industrial exchange, tax burden for us. Estate-II, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 015 on us rose from 12.36 Hotel and Restaurant Association of Eastern India, % to 15 % since 18A/1, Everest , 18th Floor, 46C, 2013 Chowringhee Road, Kolkata- 700 071; Telephone- +91 33 2288-1742/43, 40035993. Sudesh Poddar E-mail: [email protected] President, HRAEI Website: www.hraei.co.in

THIS ISSUE OF MYSTIC EAST CONTAINS 56 PAGES INCLUDING COVER AND BACK COVER

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MYSTIC EAST | 3 SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

Dear fellow members,

The Union Budget 2016 may not have any direct benefit for the hospitality sector, but there is one silver lining for us. The thrust on infrastructure and rural development in the Budget is good news for the hospitality sector as it will open up new avenues for expansion. The Centre has earmarked Rs 2,21,246 crore for infrastructure development, with Rs 97,000 crore for the road sector, and plans to revive 160 non-func- tional airports at a cost of Rs 50-100 crore each. Strengthening infrastructure will bol- ster India’s position as an attractive tourist destination, which will surely benefit the sector in the long run. This will es- Strengthening the pecially enhance regional and last mile connectivity to untapped regions like the infrastructure will North-East and open up fresh avenues for benefit the hospitality expansion for hotel chains. Domestic travel, increased connectivity and accessibility sector in the long run. will also give a fillip to outbound domestic This will especially travel from tier-II and III cities, thus offering greater growth avenues. However, enhance regional and there are no details about allocation for last mile connectivity the Incredible India campaign, which is also expected to have an implication on to untapped regions expansion plans. like the North-East Also, though infrastructure promises to open up avenues for hospitality, tourism and open up fresh as a sector is not much in focus. The Fi- avenues for expansion nance Minister glossed over this despite the fact that tourism is one of the major for hotel chains foreign exchange earners in the country.

Pranav Singh Secretary, HRAEI

4 | MYSTIC EAST INSIDE January - February 2016

Cover Story 26 January - February 2016

PLAY, PAY OR FACE THE MUSIC?

HRAEI Corner New Tech Clarity on Service Tax: The Chief Commissioner tells 7 all about tax rates

News Union Budget 2016 disappoints the 11 hospitality industry Food apps troubles: Food West Bengal opens up delivery apps are going goodies for hotels and 20 through a course 16 tourism business correction

MYSTIC EAST | 5 Inside

Analysis 24 With more new hotels, Kolkata braces up for a tariff war

Industry seeks parity on taxes on tourism arrivals 32 in India New Trail 42 Tea tourism: North East India's tea trail attracts 35 tourists to heritage Raj-era bungalows

New scchemes of tourism: Swadesh Darshan and Prasad schemes have too few spots from Eastern India Food Interview 45 Biryani's long journey: Once a delicacy of the 41 Nawabs is now a favourite of the aam admi

Online woes Housekeeping head of Fake review menace: Swissotel, Kolkata, 47 Don't get browbeaten stresses on the importance by review threats from of the department online sites

6 | MYSTIC EAST NEWS January - February 2016

HRAEI CORNER ASSOCIATION SEEKS CLARITY ON REVISED TAX RATES

KOLKATA, Jan. 14: Members of concern on non-compliance of the hospitality sector. “The service the Hotels and Restaurants Associ- tax payment by restaurants, event tax rate has been hiked from 12 per ation of Eastern India (HRAEI) met managers and outdoor caterers. Ac- cent to 14 per cent, effective June 1, officials from the service tax depart- cording to him and other service tax 2015. Subsequently, a 0.5 per cent ment to obtain clarity on revised officials, the propensity to avoid tax Swachh Bharat cess has been levied service tax rates, including the im- is prominent especially among the from November 15,” said Sudesh position of the contentious service unorganised institutions that bill a Poddar, the president of HRAEI. Te- charge. hefty amount to the customers but jinder Singh Walia, vice president, In an interactive session with do not disclose the same to the tax Federation of Hotel and Restaurants the members of HRAEI, S.K. Pan- authorities. Association of India (FHRAI), “ We da, the Chief Commissioner, Ser- Members of HRAEI, however, don’t want to evade tax. But we have vice Tax, Kolkata Zone, expressed rued over high service tax burden on concerns over certain aspects, such

MYSTIC EAST | 7 NEWS

HRAEI CORNER

EASE OF DOING BUSINESS We the members of Hotel and Kendriya Utpad Shulk Bhavan, Kolkata Restaurant Association of Eastern In- dia (HRAEI) place on record our deep as imposition of service tax on take- Other officials present at the appreciation for Chief Commissioner, away food and additional beds and meet said a threshold exemption of Service Tax, Kolkata, Sri S.K.Panda service charges billed by hotels and Rs 10 lakh is available for services for his wholehearted effort for making restaurants.” rendered in a financial year. Of- ‘ease of doing business’ a reality in the Service Tax Sector in Kolkata. Mr Panda called for improvement ten institutions miss the benefit of of compliance. He said, “From our the exemption because they do not We urge all our members to avail side we are trying to create awareness. maintain proper documents. Ac- this opportunity and approach his The upcoming Goods and Services cording to Mr Panda recent drives office at Kendriya Utpad Shulk Tax (GST) will also ease some of the undertaken by them have garnered Bhawan, 2nd Floor, 180, Shan- problems as it will provide a mecha- an additional tax of around Rs 100 ti Pally, Rajdanga Main Roda, nism to seamlessly pay tax and get tax crore. The service tax collection in Kolkata—700 017 on any working credit,” said Panda. GST is yet to be the Calcutta zone in 2014-15 was day during working hours if they implemented pending Parliamentary Rs 5,181.39 crore. In 2015-16, the are facing any problem in Service Tax matters. Contact number of approval. “We expect GST to remove collection has already touched Rs his office is 2442-5066. However, of double taxation on rooms (local tax 4,671.91 crore, helped partly by the he is also available for any walk-in and sale tax) and food (value added tax recent drives of the department to visitor. and service tax),” added Mr Poddar. collect unpaid dues.

8 | MYSTIC EAST January - February 2016

SALIENT FEATURES PERTAINING TO TAXATION OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, OUTDOOR CATERERS, ETC.

1. Short Term der renting of immovable property portion will be 60% of total amount Accommodation Service : service. charged. Hence, effective rate be- A. Service Tax leviable if declared G. Where hotels are having con- comes service tax @ 8.4% and Swa- tariff is Rs. 1,000/- or more per day vention centre facility— to be clas- chh Bharat Cess @ 0.3% of gross (or equivalent). sified under Convention Service. value. B. Valuation-- 40% abatement on No abatement admissible if service C. Cenvat Credit will not be admis- total value is available in terms of does not include catering. sible on goods classifiable under Notification No. 26/2012-ST dated H. The hotels should confirm that Chapter 1 to 22 of Central Excise 20.06.2012.Hence, effective rate service tax has been paid by their Tariff Act, 1985. Cenvat Credit are becomes service tax @ 8.4% and vendors/suppliers. In case of ser- available on other Inputs, Input Swachh Bharat Cess @ 0.3% of vices received from booking agents, Services and Capital Goods subject gross value. travel agents, tour operators etc, ( to the provisions of Cenvat Credit C. Bundled service of Hotel Accom- where the hotel has paid commis- Rules, 2004. modation and Breakfast ( i.e, when sion to these agents ), service tax the rate offered to the guest is inclu- has to be paid by such agents under 3. Bundled Service by way of sive of breakfast ) – entire amount Business Auxiliary Service. supply of Food / Drinks in a has to be classified under Short premises ( including hotel, Term Accommodation Service ( as 2. Restaurant & Outdoor convention centre, club, pan- per Section 66F(3) of Finance Act, Catering Service: dal, shamiana or any other 1994) with the applicable abate- A. Liability of service tax is on those place, specially arranged for ment. This is even if the figures for restaurants which are having the fa- organizing a function ) togeth- hotel accommodation and break- cility of air-conditioning or central er with renting of such prem- fast are artificially bifurcated in the air-heating in any part of the es- ises : final bill. tablishment, at any time during the A. Abatement of 30% is available in D. Service Tax leviable on host of year. terms of Notification No. 26/2012- other services like laundry, inter- B. Valuation of Service portion in ST dated 20.06.2012. net, etc when the customer avails a Restaurant or Outdoor Catering B. Cenvat Credit will not be admis- of these facilities and has been will be done in terms of Rule 2(c) of sible on goods classifiable under charged separately. Service Tax to Service Tax (Determination of Val- Chapter 1 to 22 of Central Excise be charged at full rate of 14% and ue) Rules, 2006. Tariff Act, 1985. Cenvat Credit are Swachh Bharat Cess @ 0.5% of The Service portion in a Restau- available on other Inputs, Input gross value. rant will be 40% of total amount Services and Capital Goods subject E. Cenvat Credit is available only charged. Hence, effective rate be- to the provisions of Cenvat Credit on Input Services. comes service tax @ 5.6 % and Swa- Rules, 2004. F. Where the hotels have sublet a chh Bharat Cess @ 0.2% of gross part of their premises on rent/lease, value. Source: Chief Commissioner, they are liable to pay service tax un- In Outdoor Catering, the Service Service Tax, Kolkata Zone

MYSTIC EAST | 9 NEWS

Budget 2016 silent on hotel & tourism industry demands

HE tourism and hotel industry of tourism or hospitality industry," before tour and the need of a multi- T found no mention in the Union said Kamlesh Barot, past president, ple entry eTourist Visa instead of the budget 2016-17 presented by the fi- The Federation of Hotel and Restau- existing single entry, none of them nance minister Arun Jaitley last rant Associations of India (FHRAI). found a mention in the budget. month. The industry was hoping for Last year, the finance minister in- Some of the other measures sug- some key recommendations on lower creased the allocation for the tourism gested by the survey also comprise goods and service tax (GST) for relat- sector and announced a slew of mea- examining the possibility of giving ed services, extension of etourist visa, sures to draw foreign tourists and for- special incentives like taxfree bonds promotion of medical tourism and eign exchange to the country. and income tax exemptions on prof- lowering the threshold of infrastruc- Developing infrastructure at certain its used in reinvestment in the tour- ture status threshold for hotel proj- important heritage sites, improving ism sector, development of tourism ects to Rs 25cr, all of which did not cleanliness at holy sites and setting up infrastructure on public private part- figure in the budget. centres for adventure activities were nership basis and by channelizing "The PM in his initial speeches had some of the measures. corporate social responsibility (CSR) mentioned tourism as one of the four While the Economic Survey spends into India's heritage develop- pillars in the mandate of the new BJP 2015-16 suggested several measures ment. However, these too have not Govt. The FM Arun Jaitley today in his to boost tourism including the exten- been addressed in the budget. budget speech has talked about 9 (odd) sion of eTourist Visa window to 180 This year, the hotel industry was new pillars, but there was no mention days instead of the current 30 days keen to see the GST roll out as it is al-

10 | MYSTIC EAST January - February 2016

ready saddled with multiple layers of energy cess is also likely to impact the indirectly benefit the tourism industry. tax including VAT, Service Tax, Lux- Heat Light and Power (HLP) cost for "It has provided a sharp focus on ury Tax etc. Currently, hotels in India hotels, which currently forms more building a stronger ecosystem for the levy taxes in the range of 25%, com- than 10% of a hotel's expenses. "There travel and tourism industry. The Rs. pared to just 5-7% in many South East could be certain impact on power bills 2,21,246 crore outlay for infrastruc- Asian countries. at hotels as there is also a hike in the ture development, Rs 97,000 crore in- "The proposal to levy infrastructure clean energy cess on coal to Rs.400 per vestment in road sector and the intent and agriculture cess is retrograde as it tonne of coal mined from Rs.200. This to build as well as upgrade highways adds another slice to a high tax bur- hike in clean energy cess is likely to im- is a measure that will aid connectivity den," said Ajay K. Bakaya, executive pact input cost for thermal power pro- across the length and breadth of the director, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts. ducers which could be passed on to end country. Last mile connectivity is a Riyaaz Amlani, president, Nation- consumers," said Vikas Chadha, execu- key hurdle for tourism and travel in al Restaurant Association of India tive director and chief financial officer India, and we believe this measure (NRAI) too said the restaurant indus- at Berggruen Hotels, which owns the will aid in overcoming the challenge," try will be impacted to some extent by midmarket chain Keys Hotels. said J B Singh, president and CEO, the increase of service tax, through the Industry experts said while there Inter Globe Hotels. introduction of 0.5% agriculture cess. was no direct mention of tourism or Moreover, the announcement of Moreover, the industry's hopes of hospitality industry in the budget, 1,500 multiskill training institutes getting infrastructure status to hotels stress on infrastructure development, across the country is likely to address with a project cost of Rs 25 crore as improvement of 160 airports, boost- the shortage of skilled labour for the against the present Rs 250 crore, too ing regional connectivity and Swachh industry. remained unfulfilled. The hike in clean Bharat (Clean India programme) will Source: The Economic Times

Economic Survey 2015-16 notes decline in Foreign Tourist Arrivals and Exchange Earnings

HE Economic Survey 2015-16 the survey notes increasing appe- mode from 7% to 10% by 2019-20, the T tabled in the Parliament by Fi- tite among Indians to travel within survey notes. nance Minister, Arun Jaitley has not- the country thereby supporting the According to the survey, the ser- ed growth “deceleration” in inbound sector’s growth. In 2014 domestic vices sector in India has remained the tourism into India in 2015-16 com- tourism grew by 12.9%. The top five most vibrant sector in terms of contri- pared to the last financial year. Ac- states in domestic tourist visits in In- bution to national and state incomes, cording to Economic Survey India’s dia are Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, trade flows, FDI inflows, and employ- tourism growth which was 10.2% Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra ment. The services sector contributed in terms of Foreign Tourist Arrival Pradesh. The report also explains almost 66.1% of its gross value added (FTA) and 9.7% in terms of Foreign various schemes announced by the growth in 2015-16 becoming the im- Exchange Earnings(FEE) in 2014 government like Swadesh Darshan; portant net foreign exchange earner decelerated to 4.5% in terms of FTAs PRASAD, etc. to boost domestic tour- and the most attractive sector for FDI and fell by 2.8% in terms of FEEs in ism in the country. (Foreign Direct Investment) inflows. 2015. The economic survey also take note Despite the slow down in the post The reason for growth deceleration, of the governments vision to tap the crisis period (2010-14) India showed according to the Survey is due to neg- potential of shipping tourism in the the fastest service sector growth with ative or low growth in FTAs from high country. A vision document for coast- a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth spending tourists originating from al shipping tourism and regional de- Rate) of 8.6% followed by China at European countries like France, Ger- velopment has been prepared with 8.4%. In 2014 India’s services sector many and UK. a view to increasing the share of the growth at 10.3% was noticeably high- Despite slow down in inbound, coastal/inland water-ways transport er than China at 8.0%.

MYSTIC EAST | 11

NEWS

Indian hotel industry revenues to grow Chef Imtiaz 9 - 10% in Financial Year 2017 Qureshi honoured with Padma Shri

HE Padma T Shri award was conferred upon Chef Imti- az Qureshi, the grand master chef of ITC Hotels, for his contributions in culinary art. It is for the first time that a professional chef has been recognised with the Padma Awards, the fourth highest civilian honour of the country. Indian Culinary Forum (ICF), since last eight years, has been consistently striving to get the culinary art to be recognised by the government. The achievement by Chef Qureshi is considered a result of the efforts by ICF under the leadership of Chef Davinder Kumar, president, ICF and Anil Bhandari, a vet- eran hotelier. Bhandari said, “Our efforts have paid results at the end. We have consistently HE country's hotel industry reve- Domestic travel, going by domestic been pursuing it with successive govern- T nues are likely to improve by 9-10 airline Revenue Passenger Kilometre ( ments and ministers for eight years. It is per cent in 2016-17, mainly aided by RPKM) trends exhibited strong growth a good beginning, and I am really happy improved occupancy, rating agency during the past 12 months indicating that a great chef has been recognised by ICRA said. It estimates the topline improving consumer confidence, it said. the country.” growth for the industry to be 8 per However, given the muted global Commenting on the achievement, cent during 2015-16. economic outlook, Foreign Tourist Chef Kumar, said, “On behalf of the en- The panIndia average room rate Arrivals (FTAs) growth for CY2016 is tire ICF team, I would like to congrat- (ARR) will be flat for 2015-16, but oc- expected to be subdued. ulate Chef Qureshi for the award. I am cupancy improvements of 67 per cent Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) thankful to our government to consider supports revenue per available room slowed down to 4.4 per cent during culinary art as one of the most important (RevPAR) growth of 7 per cent, it said Calendar year 2015 (7.1 per cent disciplines in India.” in a report. during 2014). FTA segment continues ICF has been functioning as an ex- Room inventory in the premium to remain far below its true potential, clusive NGO dedicated solely to the ad- category is estimated to increase by ICRA report pointed out. vancement of the culinary art of India. 8 per cent for 2015-16, compared to 4 Further, it said, the per capita dol- This achievement is considered a step per cent during 2014-15. With defer- lar spend by tourists declined sharply forward to mark the importance of the ment in construction, supply addition in 2015 after remaining stagnant for culinary industry to be chosen as a pro- would be lower than earlier estimates three years. fession. at 7.78 per cent for 2016-17. Source: PTI Source: The Indian Express

14 | MYSTIC EAST January - February 2016

Ease to start hotel, Maharashtra reduces 5 permissions

O encourage hotel and hospitali- by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis T ty industry, the state government in a recent meeting of the govern- has decided to abolish 5 permissions ment's new programme 'Ease of doing related to home department. The de- Business'. The decision is a boon for cision was taken to promote state pet new entrepreneurs, who will be able initiative 'Ease of Doing Business'. to set up establishments in weeks in- The decision was taken by the chief stead of months," said Shetty minister Devendra Fadnavis in a The GR said several outdated and meeting with the home department. unnecessary permissions were re- It was decided that no need to take quired to open restaurants and hotels police's permission now if one wants under the Bombay Police Act. It was to start hotel or restaurant. Also other then decided to strike out all such permissions such as an eating house unnecessary permissions such as an registration certificate, swimming eating house registration certificate, pool license, place of public entertain- swimming pool licence, place of pub- ment license A and B and a perfor- lic entertainment licence A and B as mance license. well as a performance licence. A circular has been already issued "Earlier, prospective restaurateurs by the state home department to all and hoteliers had to procure shop act li- police chiefs and collectors on De- cence, food licence and police licence. It cember 24, scrapping five licenses would take at least six to eight months to that hotels and bars had to take from get police approvals, as one file of docu- police authorities annually. (See Box) ments was sent to the police station and "This will help to reduce the hassle another to the traffic police department. to start the hotel as it takes months to Different police authorities would then obtain permissions that will be saved visit the restaurant or the hotel site to and money as well," said an official. check if the available parking space was Earlier, aspirant restaurateurs and in accord with the size of the establish- hoteliers had to procure shop act li- ment, which was already sanctioned by cense, food license and police license. the civic body. It was thus a duplication To obtain police approvals it would The state government recently of processes. Even renewal of licences take at least six to eight months as one issued a directive following com- was a tedious job," added Shetty file of documents was sent to the po- plaints of harassment that prospec- Praful Chandawarkar, the director lice station and another to the traffic tive restaurant and hotel owners of Malaka Spice, said, "Obtaining po- police department," said official. had to go through to set base in any lice permission to operate a food or He also added that though the 5 li- city in Maharashtra. Top sources in bar enterprise, which takes four or censes related to the state home de- Pune Restaurants and Hoteliers As- six months and costs lot of money, is partment have cancelled, the local au- sociation claimed that almost 8,000 against the development of this coun- thority like Brihanmumbai Municipal restaurants had come up illegally in try. So, I applaud this move by the Corporation (BMC) licenses in Mum- the city because of the hassle. chief minister." bai jurisdiction will remain as it is. Ganesh Shetty, the president of Nilesh P Kolapkar, the chief executive "Hotel owner has to take licenses and Pune Restaurants and Hoteliers As- officer of Post 91, said, "It is a tedious NOC such as specific size for the ho- sociation, told TOI that a recent gov- process to procure the NOC. It would tel, kitchen, eating license, swimming ernment resolution (GR) said no-ob- take months to get all the formalities pool license and fire brigade licenses jection certificate or licence from the completed, which was time-consuming. about safety from the local authority. police department would not be re- The recent directive by the chief minis- Only the thing is, duplication of pro- quired to open and operate a hotel or ter is a welcome move." cess will be cut short," added official. a restaurant. "The decision was taken Source: The Times of India

MYSTIC EAST | 15 NEWS

Bengal Global Business Summit 2016 opens up big MoUs in tourism and hospitality sector in the state

AJOR projects in the tourism from Kolkata-Durgapur-Bagdogra, tually happened and various projects M and hospitality sectors were an- Thimpu-Singapore. The Druk Air and were in different stages of implemen- nounced at the second edition of the Bengal Air – the main sponsors of the tation on the ground. Bengal Global business summit, held Andal airport project signed a MoU “It’s been a very successful business on January 9-10. It was learnt that to this end and the prime minister of conclave, the best in India I can tell major investments are expected with Bhutan – Mr Tshering Tobgay was you,” said Mamata Banerjee. “There Mega Theme Park resorts, five-star, present to see this happen. Mamata was high enthusiasm and a percep- four-star and three-star resorts com- Banerjee, the Chief Minister, West tible air of optimism over this year’s ing up at Gajoldoba near Siliguri. Bengal, said that her government was summit from all quarters,” she said. The project was named “Bhorer providing tax free fuel to those airlines Most of the industrialists and visiting Alo” (Light of the Dawn) by the Chief who are operating via Durgapur-An- dignitaries admitted that they did not Minister Mamata Banerjee. She said, dal and also at other state airports. have a clear idea about the scale of “Probably the spot will offer the best The second edition of the Bengal improved infrastructure that the state view of the Kanchunjungha from the Global business summit had been had created in the past couple of years. plains. You have water body, you have able to secure a whopping investment “Investments in the hospitality sec- forests and wildlife.” This will be one proposal of over Rs 250,104 crore. tor augur well for our industry. New of the finest tourism projects the MoU This excluded investment proposals projects will surely usher in more for which was signed today. made in 2014-15, which had totalled tourists and better revenues for the Significant announcements were about Rs 2,43,000 crore out of which industry,” said Sudesh Poddar, the made related to a new air travel link Rs 95,000 crore investments had ac- president of HRAEI.

16 | MYSTIC EAST January - February 2016

Culinary grad from Canada beats out chefs from 67 countries to win Young Chef Olympiad 2016

ANIELLA Germond, (picture, were required to execute very specific his work is a great testament to the D right) a student and recent grad- dishes. In the final round, that includ- faculty and staff’s commitment to our uate of Niagara College’s Canadian ed a shrimp appetizer, chicken entrée students’ success. Food and Wine Institute, was named and oeufs a la neige as the dessert. The second edition of the Young champion in the 2016 Young Chef The judging is based on organization, Chef Olympiad (YCO) was organized Olympiad in India. cleanliness, sanitation, cooking tech- by India’s largest hotel school chain, Germond, who graduated from Ni- niques, presentation and taste. International Institute of Hotel Man- agara College’s Culinary Management “I’m in absolute shock,” Ger- agement (IIHM) and supported by program in 2014, advanced through mond said following her victory. the Ministry of Tourism, Government all four rounds of the competition, “There were so many talented young of India It was held from January 27, which began in New Delhi on Jan. 26 cooks here.” She credits her chef-fa- 2016 to February 1, 2016 across the before moving to Mumbai, Bangalore ther when she was young to helping four cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, and then Kolkata for the final round launch her culinary dreams. As for Bangalore and Kolkata. The event on Jan. 31. Germond is currently en- her post-championship plans: “I’m was a platform to connect young chefs rolled as a full-time student at Niaga- trying to finish school and continue to globally and build bridges for talent in ra College and is working toward her work,” she said. this field across borders. It was aimed Cook Apprentice Certification. Her mentor, Scott Baechler, played at blending culinary cultures and For the Young Chef Olympiad, a key role in preparing Daniella for making it an integral part of the par- Germond and her fellow competitors this international competition, and ticipant’s lives.

MYSTIC EAST | 17 NEWS

Government has no business to run Hotels continue to hotels: Arvind Subramanian struggle on Rates in 2016: STR Global Report

ESPITE 3.3 pts growth in occu- D pancy, hotel rates drop half point in the last year nationally, revealed STR Global's India Hotel Review Re- port for 2015. As per the report, while the all-India occupancy in hotels rose by 3.3 points to 62%, and RevPAR by 5% points, the Average Room Rates (ARRs), a vital indicator of hotel performance, continued to decline due to lack of business confidence in the economy and the industry. The Rates declined by half a point nationally in 2015. 2015 saw the smallest addition to chain affiliated hotel inventory in the last seven years – only 7,853 new RVIND Subramanian, Chief Jaitley also outlined the strategic dis- rooms nationally. Terming 2015 the A Economic Advisor to the Gov- investment thrust of the government “driest” year in terms of chain affilia- ernment in an interview to The Hin- towards Central Public Sector Enter- tion deals and new projects, the report du said categorically that the govern- prises (CPSEs) in his budget speech attributes it to “lack of confidence in ment has to get out of running hotels today. “We have to leverage the assets the sector among deployers of equi- in the country. “Government has no of CPSEs for generation of resources business to run hotels,” he said. Sub- for investment in new projects. We ramanian was replying to a specific will encourage CPSEs to divest indi- question on strategic disinvestment vidual assets like land, manufacturing pertaining to Air India and ITDC Ho- units, etc. to release their asset value tels. for making investment in new proj- Drawing a distinction between, Air ects. The NITI Aayog will identify the India and hotels operated by ITDC, CPSEs for strategic sale,” the Minister Subramanian said that while the la- said while presenting the budget. bour is a “very big issue” with Air “We will adopt a comprehensive India, the land aspect is major issue approach for efficient management of when it comes to hotels. “When land Government investment in CPSEs by gets involved it is a complete mess, addressing issues such as capital re- because how do you value it and then structuring, dividend, bonus shares, it goes in to litigation,” he said. “We etc.,” he added. The government also should disinvest Ashoka Hotel, but announced the proposal to rename how do you value the land there?,” he the Department of Disinvestment to asked. Department of Investment and Public The Union Finance Minister, Arun Asset Management (DIPAM).

18 | MYSTIC EAST January - February 2016

ty and debt capital.” In the absence of visible inbound leisure demand, it Eye forTravel Asia Summit: Travel was domestic leisure and MICE+W (Wedding) became the industry’s de- meet to foresee technology trends mand core. Like various reports in the past at Singapore indicated, while room revenues continued to be under stress for the hospitality sector, F&B and banquets played a key role as significant revenue generators across hotel segments, “forcing changes in operating models for select/limited service hotels,” the report notes. Occupancy improvement was the key feature for 2015 performance, with all but two of the key markets having positive results. At all India level, 62% occupancy is the highest in the last seven years, the Report says. Among the key cities, Mumbai and Goa registered occupancy above 70% mark. Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyder- abad, Pune and Jaipur achieved their highest city occupancy after 2008. RAVEL brands are being made to ships with these connected travellers However, Kolkata and Goa has shown T work harder with the shifting use right through the travel cycle… and at marginal decline in occupancies com- of mobile, social media, sharing econ- the centre of it all we have data!" pared to 2014. omies and the gradual move from of- Asia has always been an important The ARR’s in major city markets fline to online across Asia. market to EyeforTravel and now in its including New Delhi and Delhi NCR They need to plan new strategies, 12th year in Singapore the event has have shown a decline compared to develop new teams and refocus their changed angle to reflect the demands 2014. The rates dropped more than budgets while trying to maximise of their TDS Asia conference attend- 4 points in New Delhi. Despite regis- ROI and build new revenue streams ees, as well as the shifts taking place tering occupancy growth above 70%, But we still have to remember what in the industry. ARRs in Mumbai has grown just makes you (and all our customers) With this in mind EyeforTravel 1.25%. want to travel today? The call of the Asia Summit (15-16th June) is per- Overall, the development activity sea, a life changing business deal, fectly placed to bring together the key in the sector will remain muted going whistling windy mountains or maybe thinkers from both the traditional forward in key markets, the report even the mayhem of a city? And we travel market and the new disruptive says. However, the same will pick up need to know how to service not just talent. steam in markets outside the main the booking but the trip itself. The Singapore meet will find list of markets. Chain affiliated inventory Travellers like to plan, experience, speakers from heads of Booking.com, at the end of 2015, as per the report, customise and have an itinerary built Starwood Hotels, Google, Roomora- was 113,000 rooms, and estimated to for just them.To shed light on the ma, Skyscanner, Tencent, TripAdvi- reach 155,000 by 2020. growth of the Asian market and how sor, MakemyTrip, Scoot Airlines and Pointing out the policy level issues, mobile is driving consumer engagement many more. Topics that are likely the report notes that despite identify- and numbers for travel brands, Tim to be covered are: the importance of ing the tourism sector as one of the vi- Gunstone, Managing Director for Eye- analysing distribution channels and tal ‘T’s in the development agenda of forTravel said "We are at a tipping point smart marketing tools to ensure on the present government, the sector is where brands can focus on the custom- accurate pricing, understanding digi- yet to receive the “rightful economic er experience, consumer behaviour and tal transformations, keeping custom- recognition” from the government. the need to engage and build relation- ers using smart analytics.

MYSTIC EAST | 19 FOOD DELIVERY THE HUNGER GAMES A young industry trying to revolutionise the way India orders food - is laying off people or shutting down operations. Is this the end of the beginning of food based apps or food aggregators?

HE year 2015 was meant Sequoia Capital) rather enthusias- to be the year for food tech tic about funding such ventures, are start-ups. Food tech start backing away. ups were like your neigh- Tbourhood magicians, who with a Flush with fund wave of a magic wand would deliv- Food tech start-ups only raised $160 er anything from fresh vegetables to million (Rs. 1,056.40 crores) this year, biryanis to your door. There were the just slightly over two percent of all the restaurant aggregators like the Tiny money raised by start-ups, according Owls, and the Zomatos, restaurant to a report published by VCCEdge, a services like DineOut, which lets you research platform for VCCircle. Most book a table at a restaurant in ad- critically, most of that $160 million vance; and delivery companies, to was raised in April, which saw 7 deals deliver food to your doorstep (eg. Eat- with a total of $74 million, or around Lo); and then Faasos kind, providing Rs. 488.58 crores, raised (April was their own cooked meals to customers. the month that saw hype for food Foodpanda, Swiggy, Qunito, EatOn- tech shoot through the roof as well). Go, and many others promising to By October, the total value of funding solve the problems of busy, cooking plummeted to $11 million (Rs. 72.62 hampered Indians. crores). Swiggy has over 5000 restaurants Yet by the end of the year, things on its platform are going horribly wrong. TinyOwl’s Too many players financial troubles have boiled over to off around 300 staff and players like The sudden bust to boom created a a point where many employees who Dazo that shut shop in less than a lot of buzz in India’s start-up circuit, were terminated had concerns over year. Even investors, who until Octo- especially whether the food tech com- whether their full and final checks ber (tiny owl got Rs 50 crore in Oc- panies are doomed? “It’s overcrowd- would clear or not; Zomato has laid tober 2015 from Matrix Partners and ed,” offers Saurabh Kocchar, CEO of

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Foodpanda to The Telegraph, as one rants without innovating like offering delivery models are so strong, these reason. “There are so many players local delicacies in different cities or of- food aggregators had to be innovative in this small space, and there’s not a fering products not usually available. enough like probably provide more whole lot of innovation going on. I see Secondly, the commissions made hi-value products like organic food, a lot of people solving problems, but on restaurants orders are also quite exotic foods, to give an extra advan- no one is solving problems to the next less, as restaurants have their own tage. Also some argue, it’s just that level.” In short, there’s a universal fixed costs to overcome which makes companies went about doing things feeling that far too many people are it quite difficult for pure aggregation the wrong way. One needs to some- getting into food tech without offering businesses to recoup expenses for ac- thing innovative, such as the way anything new. quiring customers as well as running Bite Club, a Gurgaon based company And while the lack of innovation is operations. Maybe, in the future, one does: it has tie up with chefs to cre- a valid point, others point out start- player, whoever makes it big and can ate unique menus and then delivers ups have very little choice in the mat- generate actual demand for restau- them. ter. “The only thing that will get you rants can reach a stage where they can Many experts believe these tech funding is a clone,” decries one en- charge a higher commission allowing start-ups are just going through ‘mid- trepreneur who launched a food tech them to have better unit economics course corrections’; this is not any start-up last year that went bust. “In- like how its panned out in the US” . signs of a bubble bust. They are going dian investors talk a big game about According to Rajat Wahi, Partner, through a phase where companies are innovation, but in reality, they do not Management Consulting,Head, Con- trying to understand what is the best trust anything that isn’t a clone. Try sumer, Retail and Agri Sector KPMG way forward by creating a sustainable to deviate from that model, and you’ll India, unlike the USA where this business model going forward.” suddenly find yourself strapped for business model was successful, India cash. But if we don’t innovate, we’ll is full of local restaurants which deliv- Not so bad end up in a bad way anyway.” er home as quickly and efficiently as But not everyone believes that food these food aggregators. In India, local tech is doing bad. In fact, they say Flawed model Food aggregators, more than any other type, are receiving the most flak (and seem to be facing the most trouble), and it’s not difficult to see why. On the surface, food aggregators don’t have an obvious revenue stream or business model to generate income. Their main function is to let users search for places to eat, and then provide a phone number or link where the user can place an order from, all for free. Mostly, they generate revenue by getting a small fee or cut of any order placed through their service. This, some point out, cannot possibly be a sustainable business model. “We knew this model of giving only an ordering platform for readily available food was rash in India,” says Revant Bhate, Head of Marketing at Faasos, a Mumbai headquartered food delivery business. “Restaurant aggregators are trying to attract customers by giving discounts on the same product from the same restau- Foodpanda is a global player in the field

MYSTIC EAST | 21 FOOD DELIVERY

nies growing too fast and too soon and dishing out huge discounts to aggregate customers. There was no solid business plan. But ultimately the committed players will continue to thrive, while the rest will die out. That’s the way the start-up sector always works.

Too fast, too soon Other ecommerce industry experts also feel that this shake up should make these ecommerce firms to stop hiring furiously and expanding at break-neck speed. They have been doing this to please the investors who want some kind of returns fast. The value of these companies are based on flimsy grounds like the number of deliveries they make or the number of customers they gain. Their valuations is not based on the core of how the business is run, on the financials and on the basic fundamen- tals of a business. The angel funders are also ones to blame for this. Some Food apps and restaurants must work together industry insiders believe that these ecommerce companies want to hike up their valuations to make a fast buck and exit. that it’s just a matter of perception. This is more of a “shake up”, most “Far from the truth,” as put by Sand- experts believe. It is a good time for eep Mitran, one of the earliest (and Food Tech Hiccups eretailers to take stock and see what most successful) players in the food • TinyOwl scales down operations in is working and tweak their business. tech arena. The fact is that all of food four cities; fires staff Rather than pointlessly scaling their tech’s big players raised their money • Zomato fires 300; says its revenue business, going on rampant expan- late last year or early this year, which hasnt kept up with the growth in its sion plans, they can put money into means that they are settled, cash- sales team becoming technology enablers and wise, for the rest of 2015 and ahead. • Bangalore-based food tech firm Dazo more efficient. I guess eretailers They don’t need to raise more mon- shuts operations and angel investors should get more ey, nor do they need to strike any • SpoonJoy merged with grocery and sensible now, it is easy to fund great more deals. Number of players are fresh food delivery company Grofers ideas but the success lies in the exe- up, volume of orders coming in is up, • Foodpanda runs into execution issues; cution. number of users is up. In addition, customers take advantage of its refund the number of people with smart policy A wake-up call phones and mobile Internet usage • Many small food start-ups are closing Simply put, the only companies in the has skyrocketed, which suits them down or pivoting to new business ecommerce space who will do well are perfectly.” models the ones that are tracking costs, take There have been far too many new • Investors on a wait-and-watch mode; charge of their last mile delivery and players , and that that may have hurt may not fund food tech start-ups for expand at a slow rate. And, the mess the sector to some degree. What’s next six months the food tech start ups find them- happened is the result of compa- selves might just be the wake up call.

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ANALYSIS

OLKATA is all set to add two to three hotels in the ‘mid-mar- Tariff war in the K ket upscale’ to ‘super-luxury’ segments with approximately 1000 rooms added by the next year. "At least two major hospitality proj- offing in Kolkata? ects (JW Marriott and ITC) may come up in the next two years," said Sudesh As more rooms are going to be added to the existing Poddar, the president of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India and inventory in the hospitality landscape of Kolkata, a treasurer of the Federation of Hotel price war is all set to begin and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI). But that’s not all. With nearly seven hotels to become operational in the next three to four years, Kolkata is set to double the room capacity in the four to seven star segments. All the projects are in various stages of construction. Moreover, there are more projects awaiting clearances to start construction. Will the increased supply bring down the tariffs in city hotels? According to a report by consulting firm HVS, based on data sourced from apex industry association (FHRAI), the average rates in 2014-15 were Rs 4,867, lower than Rs 5,230 in 2013- 14. Occupancy rates have also gone down to 67.7 per cent in 2014-15 from 70 per cent in 2013-14. According to HVS, these new rooms, adding to the existing inventory of around 2,530 rooms, will put pressure on rents in the short- to medium-term. In other words, both occupancy and average rate may be under pressure, but gradually the city will absorb the additional rooms and gradually improve its performance in the long-term. Nationally, the hospitality industry, which has seen a slight recovery in occupancy in 2014-15 after a stagnation in the preceding two years, is expect- ing the improving trend to continue in 2015-16 as well. But net income will remain constrained by the growing supply of rooms and rising expenses. What do the management heads of the top hotels expect after the new en- JW Marriott Kolkata, under construction tries?

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We don’t expect the new 5 Star We won’t be much affected by the properties to start a price war price war (if it at all begins). This compromising on the quality of is because we are a heritage hotel. services. After all good services We offer a unique experience to our and customer satisfaction comes customers who look for special care. at a price and they have a respon- These customers too are unique in sibility to maintain this norm. the sense that yearn for food and Last year when a new internation- hospitality they won't get anywhere. al property came up in the city It blends a old-world charm mixed there was some undercutting of with prompt and personalised care. the room rents that forced many However, there is no denying that the hotels bring down the price to price war may affect the MICE section Britta Leick-Milde survive the competition. But this Dilip Mishra where people don't expect so much General Manager, Hyatt superficial pricing affects quality Resident Manager, of a personalised service. In essence, Regency of services. But gradually things Lalit Great Eastern the 'tariff war' is not going to affect us became normal. much

Most of the upcoming new hotels I don’t think tariff will go down are in the 5-Star category. We don’t much because still there is a huge belong to this luxury category. So demand of hotel rooms in the city. even if they start a price war their Especially in the peak season — say rates are not expected to come November to February—most of down so low to affect us. Last year the hotels run in sold out rates. The when a new international hotel demand for rooms, in our category, started its operation in the Rajar- is far greater than the supply. As hat area, they did spark off a a tariff the upcoming new hotels belong war, but that effect didn't last long. to the luxury category they may Besides, we have some unique ad- put some pressure on room rents vantages, such as the proximity to of similar hotels (such as, the Marco Saxer the airport and the Eco Park. This Vinay Thakur Taj Bengal and ITC Sonar). This General Manager of area will also have a colossal con- General Manager, won't make a difference to hotels Swissôtel Kolkata vention centre. In short, in the long Pride Hotel like ours that's in the 100-room run we won’t be affected much. category.

Rate Trend Figures for Kolkata; average room rent in Rs Year Average Room Rent Occupancy(In%)

2010-11 4,788 65.4

2011-12 5,302 67.1

2012-13 5,461 67.1

2013-14 5,230 70.1

2014-15 4,867 67.7

MYSTIC EAST | 25 COVER STORY

PLAY, PAY OR FACE THE MUSIC?

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The controversial copyright societies – Indian Performing Rights Society(IPRS) and Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) are yet again under the scanner, for the erratic and arbitrary collection of royalties, despite their uncertain status.The representatives of the societies are demanding license fees and royalties for the music being played at live events, weddings and the likes. Broadcasting and Media solutions company Novex communication is also in the fray. Can the music industry and the hospitality industry ever work hand in hand?

HE sum usually varies from Rs.5,000 to Rs.80,000 and the artists, bands, organizers or the management of a venue are ap- proached to pay in order to avoid Tany last minute hurdles.The royalties being collected are supposed to be distributed to the original composers. In addition to this, the societies claim that they have a reciprocal agreement with the members of the music industry assignmentin India and abroad which includes nations like China, Russia, and England amongst several others.If a sound recording is used as is, license ought to be sought only from PPL. On the other hand, if only the musical score and the lyrics are used, as is the case in live concerts, license from IPRS is to be procured.

MYSTIC EAST | 27 COVER STORY

In order to continue as lawful ‘li- censors’, the copyright societies need to establish an authentic status and adhere to the legal provisions, thereby instilling faith in the shaken trust. Now let’s go through a recent order from the Bombay High Court in IPRS v. Harsh Vardhan Samor case. Delivered ex parte on 22 December 2015, it restrains the owners of a Mumbai restaurant, from performing musical works in IPRS’s repertoire at its premises, including at its Christ- mas and New Year events without a license. In other words, the Bombay High Court passed an order in favour of IPRS, restraining the Defendants from using musical works without its permission. However, the Court determined that IPRS' application to re-register in 2013 as a Copyright So- ciety had indeed lapsed, in light of not meeting the requirements imposed by the Registrar of Copyrights. How- ever, the Court accepted arguments that such did not affect its locus in being able to commercially exploit the licences it held as the 'Society' was incorporated as a company. Before the order can be analysed, All Hotels' discotheques and jukeboxes must seek prior licences it must be noted that the judgement makes it IPRS’s legal nature clear Sections 33, 34 and 35 of the Copy- registered copyright society post the laying all previous doubts to rest. It right Act amended in 2012 relate to 2012 amendment. Going by the op- clearly records that IPRS is a compa- streamlining the registration and posing stands that the societies have ny registered under the Companies functioning of copyright societies. taken and their legalde-recognized Act, not a copyright society under Section 33 (3A) of amendment re- status, their activities like granting the Copyright Act. The court noted quired that previous copyright soci- of licenses and collection of royalties that IPRS had been assigned the per- eties apply for re-registration should stand infructuous. forming and mechanical rights in the furnish full accounts before the Copy- Few questions that remain linger- works of its members, and held that right Board on or before 21 June 2013. ing are – what is the basis of collec- this would allow the organisation to The societies failed to get registration tion, that is, what is the determining license these works under Section 30 from the Board but claimed that the factor for the quantum of royalty of the Act as the owner of the works registration has neither been can- collected? Secondly, what if a band in question. celled nor renewed but pending due performance includes songs from The problem with this logic is that to internal inquiries[2].On the con- different artistes? How are the roy- it flies in the face of the statutory in- trary,IPRS took a paradoxical stand alties distributed in such a setting? tent behind the second proviso to Sec- inIPRS vs Union of India &Ors and Further,the credibility of the repre- tion 33(1) of the Act (inserted vide the Hasan Kamal vs Union of India[3], sentatives can always be put to ques- 2012 Amendment), which reads as where the subject matter of the writ tion. How can one be assured that the follows: petition was to look into itsirregulari- royalties actually reaches the original “Provided further that the busi- ties.IPRS contended that it was not a musician or composer? ness of issuing or granting license in

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respect of literary, dramatic, musical mischief through the license/trans- and artistic works incorporated in a fer of rights to a company would be cinematograph films or sound record- entirely unsupported by legislative ings shall be carried out only through intent. a copyright society duly registered This is one justification for an in- under this Act” . The court dismisses terpretation that keeps unregistered this provision in two short sentences: copyright societies outside the scope “The second proviso to Section 33 of Section 30. Yet another comes from (1) of the Act puts a restriction on any PPL's Version a post by none other than IP expert entity which is not a Copyright Soci- All those who play or communicate Prof. Shamnad Basheer’s, in which ety from doing business of issuing or pre-recorded music (of our members) for he argued that the “spirit and intent non-private purposes or in public places granting license in respect of literary, or commercial establishments or non- behind Section 33” would clearly be dramatic, musical and artistic works commercial establishments be it acoustic in conflict with the court’s logic, es- incorporated in cinematographic or visual, whether by way of Gramophone pecially given that copyright societies films or sound recordings. Obviously Records, Music cassette or CDs or Radio perform quasi-public functions. For second proviso to Section 33 refers to or TV or Cable network or in any other still another reason, consider the im- form / technology in must obtain prior an entity which is neither an owner licence from PPL. Some examples for plications of this order. of copyrights nor a copyright society the sake of illustration (non-exhaustive If entities such as IPRS are allowed registered under the Act.” list): Broadcasting (radio, TV); Mobile to continue doing business (as they Given the long history behind the telephony (caller ring-back tunes, track have been, through this interpreta- 2012 Amendment—as the lyricist streaming, audio-cinema, WAP/IVR, etc) tion of Section 30), then there exists and Public Performance. Examples of such Javed Akhtar struggled for three Establishments in Public Performance are: no incentive whatsoever for copyright years get the Bill passed in parlia- societies to register themselves. In the AC Restaurant, Aircraft, Airport Terminals, ment— this lack of analysis on the absence of such registration, the en- Amusement Parks, Art Galleries, Banks, second proviso seems to be a grave Banquet Halls, Bars, Beauty Parlors, tire catalogue of protections legislat- omission. By allowing organisations Bowling Alleys, Buses, Cafes, Casinos, ed into play by the 2012 Amendment such as IPRS to carry out the business Cinemas, Clinics, Clubs, Dance Centres, would never see the light of day, since of licensing musical works in their Discotheques, DJs, Exercise Classes, equitable copyright societies, as envi- Exhibitions, Factories, Events, Guest capacity as owners, the court appears sioned in Section 33 of the Act, would Houses, Hospitals, Hotels, Magic Shows, seems to have completely eviscerated Museums, Non-AC Restaurants, Nursing be (have been?) replaced by compa- the legislative intent behind the inser- Homes, Offices, Pubs, Railway Stations, nies such as IPRS that base their busi- tion of the provision. Railway Trains, Reception Areas, Shops, ness models on the execution of deeds Before 2012, organisations such as Spectator Sports, Swimming Pools, of assignment from authors, and the Telephone - Music On Hold, Theaters IPRS and PPL were identified as being enforcement of performing rights as opaque and unduly privileging larger (The above list is illustrative, and not owners under Section 30. In the ab- owners over smaller authors. In order exhaustive ) sence of a competing society that gets to level the playing field for authors, Important note: PPL's Licence does not itself registered under Section 33, this the Amendment mooted a distinct absolve the licencee from having to obtain would result in a fundamental change shift towards vesting greater rights licence for under-lying musical works or in the market for musical work – pre- literary works, if any, from the owners in authors vis-à-vis owners of rights, thereof or the performing rights copyright 2012 IPRS would be firmly at the top and one of the means employed to ef- society (PRS) representing such owners. of this new food chain, with com- fect this shift was to restrict the ability posers and lyricists planted firmly at Caution: Any Broadcasting or Performance of entities other than registered copy- of Copyrighted Music Recording without the bottom. In effect, orders such as right societies to license underlying first having a licence from PPL, in respect Harsh Vardhan Samor could herald a works. of its works, constitutes an Infringement second wave of market oppression for Once we understand that the sec- of Copyright under The Copyright Act of authors of musical works, who would ond proviso to Section 33(1) exists to 1957. It is a Cognizible & Non-bailable be forced to assign their work under offence which attracts heavy penalty which remedy the mischief of large organi- can extend upto a fine of Rs 2 lakhs and near-exploitative arrangements. In sations exerting undue pressure upon imprisonment of 3 years. effect, Harsh Vardhan Samor could authors (lyricists and composers), it end up emasculating not just the sec- Source: www.pplindia.org becomes clear that an interpretation ond proviso to Section 33, but the en- of Section 30 that allows the same tire gamut of author-friendly amend-

MYSTIC EAST | 29 COVER STORY

IPRS's Claims IPRS administers and controls on behalf of its Members. The Performing Right in Musical Works which are:- • The Right for Broadcasting and Causing the Musical Work to be transmitted in whole or in parts to subscribers to / of a diffusion service in all parts of the world. • The Right to Perform the Musical Work in Public. • The Right to Communicate the Musical Work to the Public. • The Owner of the Musical Work has the Exclusive Right to: Perform or Communicate the Musical Work to the public or to authorize any other person to do so. Therefore, exploiting or playing of music through any of the below mentioned reasons requires the permission of the Owner of the Music :- by way of Live Performances; by permitting any place to be used for Public Performance and / or Communication of the music to Disc jockeys must pay required fees the public; by way of Recorded music; by Broadcasting / Telecasting any music; IPRS grants ‘Blanket Licences’ for a moderate ments introduced in 2012. These competitor to IPRS. In such a situa- annual charge which authorises the Public include Section 33A, which provides tion, the new society should be given Performance, Broadcast or Diffusion by for appeals by aggrieved persons to a position of predominance (if not an wire or by any other means of any of the the Copyright Board, whose jurisdic- outright monopoly) relative to IPRS. numerous works which the Company tion would effectively be ousted by However, this would never happen, controls on behalf of its Members and that of its Affiliated Societies throughout the the functioning of IPRS in its current since Harsh Vardhan Samor seems world. form, and Section 35, which requires to stand in the way of a frictionless copyright societies to be controlled by licensing market insofar as the works • The Licences covers both – Live performances as well as performances authors as well as owners – a stipu- already in IPRS’s repertoire are con- by any Mechanical / Electronic means. lation that simply does not apply to a cerned. If, according to this order, company. IPRS can continue extracting royal- • IPRS conducts its business of granting licenses per Section 30, as the Company Harsh Vardhan Samor doesn’t look ties from establishments, then what is an owner of the copyrights as per great even in an unlikely counterfac- becomes of our new copyright soci- the assignment deeds executed with tual, in which (presumably) a group ety? its members who are owners and have of authors pool their resources to Further, there is a case to be made assigned the same to it. form a new copyright society for un- for monopolistic copyright societies Source: www.iprs.org derlying works, get it registered under as an a priori good – royalty admin- Section 33, and gain enough traction istration is one of the few instances on the market to emerge as a credible where a monopoly performs (in ide-

30 | MYSTIC EAST January - February 2016

al conditions) more efficiently than Deeds of Assignment flashed around a competitive market environment. by IPRS ought to be invalidated, since This only serves to render the frag- a majority of them must surely have mentation of the market for per- been executed before IPRS metamor- forming rights that would be brought phosed overnight from copyright so- about by Harsh Vardhan Samor all ciety to company. A third point that the more inexcusable. deserves analysis is the fact that these Finally, the fact of the matter is that problems do not emerge with respect copyright societies in India today are to IPRS’s traditional companion on expected to serve a social justice func- these pages – PPL. Since the provi- Novex's Version tion, as Prof. Basheer rightly notes, so to Section 33(1) does not include Novex Communications ventured into in upholding the interests of the “lit- sound recordings, it would seem that authorization of reproduction of the sound tle guy”. Even if a fragmented royalty PPL would still be free to issue licens- recording, the performance of the sound administration market was desirable, es under this business model. These recording in public, its broadcast and inclusion in the program service. Novex has the discomforts inherent in entrust- stories, alas, must be left for another been offered to tie up with big brands in ing such a social justice function to day. the industry like Yash Raj, UTV Movies and market forces should serve as enough Incidentally, Business Standard Shemaroo. justification for protecting (at least carried a report that a similar order Novex is authorized agent under section for the moment) a well-regulated mo- has been passed by the Delhi High 30 of the copy right act by Yash Raj Films, nopolistic model. Court on 23 December 2015 in IPRS UTV Movies, Shemaroo Entertainment In addition to this, there appears v. Great Indian Nautanki Company . Pvt Ltd to grant on their behalf Public to have been no disclosure by IPRS of In their own way, our “copyright so- Performance Rights to the 3rd party who are communicating their content in Public its dodgy history – be it the Barasat cieties” seem to have been persistent Places. orders, the official inquiry conducted to usher in silent nights across the (and later shelved) by the Registrar hospitality and event management Music at all public places including but not limited to hotels, restaurants, discotheques, of Copyrights, or its dubious litiga- sector. event companies, DJs, cinema halls, tion history. For another, there could shows, malls, stores, shops, salon, parlors, exist a strong argument to be made Source: Intellectual Property Experts religious events, marriage halls, jukeboxes, that even if Harsh Vardhan Samor’s Shristi Bansal, lexorbis.com, Balaji railway & bus stations, airport, motels, reasoning were to be accepted, the Subramanian, Spicyip.com, guest houses, banks, offices, amusement parks, pubs, private shows, exhibitions & any such other public area intending to communicate to the public in any matter whatsoever, any musical works, sound recordings, or any part thereof, in any format, in audio, visual and/or audio- visual media is required to obtain a PPL license from the duly authorized agent. Novex has extensive expertise and comprehensive capabilities to expertly manage distribution of copyrights and ensure only authorized performance of the content. Source: www.novex.in

Marriage halls too have to obtain licence to play the music

MYSTICMYSTIC EAST EAST | 31 | 31 TAXATION Hospitality industry seeks freedom from uneven taxes

Overall taxes on tourism arrivals applicable for hotels in India amounts to a whopping 25 to 30 per cent compared to 7 per cent in Thailand

HE hospitality industry has to revisit and remodel some of the and 6 per cent respectively. In con- been at the receiving end in prevailing tax structures, laws and trast, GST applicable for hotels in In- T Annual Budgets for the last policies to bring it at par with compet- dia amounts to a whopping 25 to 30 few years. Despite high decibel events ing tourism economies of the world. per cent. Our industry is competing and initiatives organised by respec- “For instance, our neighbouring with a difference of roughly 20 per tive States for promoting tourism and south-east Asian countries like Thai- cent while matching with the global hospitality, the ministries have failed land and Malaysia have a GST of 7 service amenities and requirements.

32 | MYSTIC EAST January - February 2016

Also, we hope that the government considers granting infrastructure sta- IMPACT OF GST ON TOURISM ARRIVALS tus to hotels with a project cost of Rs 25 crore as against the present Rs 250 STANDARD GST TOURISM GST crore,” says Sudesh Poddar, President TOURISM COUNTRY RATE(SR) FOR RATE(TR) FOR HRAEI. INFLOW Doing away with double taxation, OTHERS TOURISM INDUSTRY exemption of service tax on foreign exchange earned, and simplification of taxation laws are some of the de- FRANCE 20% 6% 80m mands domestic tour operators for the past few years. But subsequent HON KONG Nil Nil 60.8m budgets have failed to meet any demand. "The services of tour operators THAILAND 10% 7% 20m earning foreign exchange for the country should be exempted from whole of service tax. It should be MALAYSIA 10% 6% 25m treated at par with the physical goods exporters earning foreign exchange," IATO President Subhash Goyal said. SINGAPORE 7% 7% 11m IATO claims to have over 4,000 members, covering all segments of SPAIN 16% 7% 57mn tourism industry. Goyal said foreign exchange earnings should also be exempted from the proposed GST till TURKEY 18% 8% 31.5m international tourist arrivals in India touch the 30 million mark yearly. Foreign tourist arrivals in 2015 AUSTRIA 20% 10% 23m grew by just 4.4 per cent to 80.16 lakh against 76.79 lakh in 2014. Con- sidering the meagre share of global BELGIUM 20% 6% 8m tourist arrivals, compared to the size and the huge opportunities that the FINLAND 22% 8% 4m country offers, government should keep the tourism industry free from any taxes including GST till the GREECE 19% 9% 15m country receives 30 million foreign tourists yearly. Besides, he said, litigations in ser- ITALY 20% 10% 46m vice tax department are increasing due to frequent changes in service tax laws. Poddar said service tax laws PORTUGAL 20% 5% 8m needed to be made simple to understand and follow. SWEDEN 25% 12% 11m He also urged the government to address the issue of double taxation on outbound tour operators. "In case JAPAN 10% 8% 19m of outbound tour, only the service portion which is rendered in India should be taxed and rest should be INDIA 25-30% 25-30% 8m out of the service tax," he said.

MYSTIC EAST | 33 COVER STORY January - February 2016

POLICY The United Colours of India The Government of India’s Swadesh Darshan scheme has identified 12 thematic tourist circuits across the country. Eastern India, the most diverse region of the country, can have more spots included in the list

AST year the Ministry of part of its on-going activities, annu- Tourism formulated a plan ally releases print, electronic, on- scheme called Swadesh Dar- line and outdoor media campaigns shan for integrated develop- in the international and domestic Lment of tourist circuits around markets, under the Incredible In- specific themes. dia brand-line, to promote Under the new various tourism desti- scheme 12 the- SWADESH nations and prod- matic circuits ucts of the coun- were identified: DARSHAN try. The Ministry North-East PROMOTES INDIA AS also promotes India Circuit, the tourism Buddhist Cir- A HOLISTIC DESTINA- destinations cuit, Hima- TION AND IS MEANT TO and products layan Circuit, through its Coastal Cir- BUCK UP THE websites and cuit, Krishna INCREDIBLE INDIA publicity and Circuit, Desert promotional ma- Circuit, Tribal CAMPAIGN terial produced by Circuit, Eco Circuit, it from time to time. Wildlife Circuit, Ru- In addition, a series of ral Circuit, Spiritual Circuit promotional activities are un- and Ramayana Circuit. These circuits dertaken in important and potential have been identified for development, tourist generating markets abroad which among other things, cover re- through overseas India tourism of- mote villages and small and medium fices with the objective of showcasing towns. India’s tourism potential and increas- Swadesh Darshan promotes In- ing tourist arrivals to the country. dia as a holistic destination and as Following are some of the routes in

MYSTIC EAST | 35 POLICY

The Himalaya Circuit is a key destination in the scheme

Eastern identified under the Swadesh International Finance Corporation, a to be the land where many religions Darshan scheme. wing of World Bank, is providing Rs including Buddhism originated. Buddhist circuit: Sources said the 1.80 crore, Tourism Ministry is con- “Buddhism is one of the strongest Union Tourism Ministry has already tributing Rs 2.25 crores and the con- bonding factors in Asia and the world identified Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and tribution of Bihar and UP is Rs 2.25 with nearly 500 million followers all Vaishali in Bihar and Kapilavastu, crore each for the project. over the world. Today Buddhist her- Sarnath, Sravasti and Kushinagar in The strategy aims at infrastruc- itage is India’s USP in tourism,” he Uttar Pradesh under the Buddhist ture development, skill develop- said. Naik further said all places in- circuit of Swadesh Darshan. ment, increased market access, cluding Lumbini where Lord Buddha The Centre on Thursday launched involvement of communities and was born and Kapilvastu, Bodhagaya, a roadmap for integrated tourism de- enhancing the visitors experience Saranath, Kushinagar have become velopment of the Buddhist circuit in in the Buddhist circuit. “Our gov- holy religious icons for Buddhists. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. ernment under leadership of Prime “Our efforts are to develop and pro- Aiming at attracting more tour- Minister Narendra Modi has identi- mote all places connected with Lord ists and creating job opportunities, fied development of Buddhist circuit Buddha and Buddhist heritage in the government launched a strategy for as a priority. Today we are launch- country.” integrated tourism development of ing strategy for integrated tourism In order to increase the footfall, the Buddhist sector in collaboration development of the Buddhist Circuit ministry is working for extending with the World Bank two years ago. with the partnership of the state gov- the visitors’ season at Buddhist sites Dubbed as “Investing in the Buddhist ernments, various stakeholders and by organising special religious pro- Circuit”, the Rs 450 lakh initiative is private sector,” Tourism Minister grammes during the non peak peri- being carried out for development of Sripad Naik had said after launching ods. The minister also announced to Buddhist heritage sites in Bihar and the programme. hold international Buddhist conclaves Uttar Pradesh in the first stage. While According to him India is blessed in Bodhgaya and Saranath at regular

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POLICY

intervals this year to encourage ist attraction, he said, adding Bud- tourist inflows to Buddhist sites. dhism flourished in these places More Tourism Schemes Rs Rs. 33.17 crores has been allo- from 3rd Century BC to 15th Cen- cated for Bihar Cultural Centre at tury AD. PRASAD Bodhgaya. “The Buddhist remains in the Twelve ancient cities with pilgrimage The strategy for development form of Chaityas, Stupas, Monas- connections have been identified of Buddhist sites provides an in- teries and the tooth relic in Golden by the Union Ministry of Tourism for tegrated framework to fast track Casket found here aptly establish development under the Pilgrimage tourism growth on the circuit by this Circuit on par with other ma- Rejuvenation and Spirituality focusing on critical and opportu- jor sites in India,” Patnaik said. Augmentation Drive (PRASAD). nities along the destination value Noting that socio-cultural life of chain and will serve as a guid- early medieval Odisha is reflected PRASAD hotspots ing framework for investment in in the cultural act of these Bud- tourism development on the cir- dhist monuments, Patnaik said, • Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) cuit over the next five to 10 years. “it is a well established fact that • Gaya (Bihar) World Bank Country Director Buddhism spread to the rest of the • Dwarka (Gujarat) Onno Ruhl had said “the prime world after the Great Kalinga War • Amritsar (Punjab) target is to fight poverty by cre- from these places of present day • Pushkar-Ajmer (Rajasthan) ating jobs. India has world class Odisha by Emperor Ashoka.” • Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) tourism products and it has sheer Thus, Dhauli-Ratnagiri-Lalit- • Vellankani (Tamil Nadu) potential of becoming number one giri-Udayagiri-Langudi circuit in • Puri (Odisha) in the tourism sector.” Ruhl fur- Odisha deserves to be included in • Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) ther said tourism is important in the list of Buddhist Circuits under • Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) fighting against poverty and it can the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ Scheme • Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) provide direct and indirect em- so that these destinations are im- • Kamakhya (Assam) ployment opportunities. proved with adequate tourism The criterion for selection of these cities infrastructure and facilities, the is their rich heritage and cultural history. Missing Diamond Triangle chief minister said. To implement the PRASAD scheme a Chief Minister of Odisha Shri “In view of above, I would re- Mission Directorate has been set up Naveen Patnaik recently said quest you to include the Buddhist in the Ministry of Tourism. The Budget urged the Centre to include the Circuit of Odisha in the list of provision of Rs.15.60 crore has been Buddhist circuit of the state in the Buddhist Circuits announced by made in Revised Estimate (RE) 2014-15. list announced by Union Tourism the Ministry of Tourism under the For Development of basic facilities at Ministry under “Swadesh Dar- Swadesh Darshan Scheme,” Pat- Vishnupad Temple, Gaya in Bihar under shan” scheme. The state has a a naik reasoned. this Scheme first installment of Rs.85.78 huge potential of Buddhist tour- North-East circuits: Two routes lakh has been released. ism in Odisha with more than 200 have been identified in the North sites. East and sanctioned to be devel- “I would like to draw your at- oped by the Ministry of Tourism. tention to the huge potential of First among them is development Buddhist tourism of Odisha. Ar- of a Tourist Circuit in Manipur chaeological exploration and ex- on the Imphal-Moirang-Khong- cavations have established more jom-Moreh circuit, for which an than 200 Buddhist sites across the amount of Rs. 71.82 crores has state,” Patnaik said a few months been sanctioned by Central Fi- ago. nance Assistance (CFA). The Buddhist Triangle – pop- Apart from this route the State ularly known as the Diamond government has set aside Rs 6 Triangle of Odisha comprising crore for renovation and beautifi- Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri and Udayagiri, cation of Kangla (a sacred palace) which is about 100 km from the and the Kangla Pat (the moat sur- state capital – is now a major tour- rounding it). Both these are in-

38 | MYSTIC EAST January - February 2016

Dhauli, near Bhubaneswar, is a key point in the Diamond Triangle extricably linked with the history of crore has been allocated to the state motest Tibetan habitations in Hima- Manipur. Amongst others, construc- government of Manipur in 2013-14 layas and has breathtaking scenery. tion of footpath, providing luminous fiscal for the “Integrated Cable-Car Gangtok to Gurdongmer Lake and light, erecting proper fencing along and Lakeside Tourism Development Yumthang valley is another route to the moat are being taken up. Project at Loktak Lake”. Under this paradise. All these spots have Hindu The circuit treads through fresh scheme, funds are allocated under temples and monasteries for the dis- water lake, Loktak, one of the top public-private partnership, said the cerning pilgrims. tourism assets of the State. Along minister. Apart from these the Government the Indo-Myanmar highway, also lie The other tourist circuit to be de- has sanctioned Rs 50 crores for Bha- a national park and the Khongjom veloped is in Sikkim linking – Rangpo lukpong – Bomdila – Tawang circuit War Memorial. It was here that Ma- (entry), Rorathang, Aritar, Phadam- in Arunachal Pradesh. Bhalukpong, jor General Paona Brajabashi, one of chen, Nathang, Sherathang, Tsong- a colourful village in the Eastern Hi- the great warriors of Manipur proved mo, Gangtok, Phodong, Mangan, La- malayas, has a glorious past linked to his valour against the superior might chung, Yumthang, Lachen, Thangu, the Mahabharata. As the legend goes of the invading British Army in 1891. Gurudongmer, Mangan, Gangtok, Lord Krishna had visited the spot. The circuit ends at Moreh, 110 kilo- Tumin Lingee and Singtam (exit). An Bomdilla is famous for its Buddhist metres away from Manipur’s capital amount of Rs. 98.05 crore for devel- gompas and the 400 year old forti- Imphal, on the border between India opment of this circuit has been sanc- fied Tawang monastery is famous and Myanmar. It is the gateway to tioned. all over the world. The three-tiered South East Asia. Rangpo to Nathang comprises the Mahayana monastery has a library According to a recent announce- Old Silk Route that traverses all the which houses countless precious ment by the Minister of State for way to Tibet. Nathang is the highest manuscripts, rare gol-letterd Bud- Tourism, under the ‘Swadesh Dar- location to stay in the Indian part of dhist scriptures, ritual vessels and shan’ scheme, an amount of Rs.20.35 the Old Silk Route. It is one of the re- tangkhas (illustrated scrolls) of great

MYSTIC EAST | 39 POLICY

The minister also said the North Eastern Council had conducted a study for the identification of tourism circuits in the North East and the same has been shared with the respective state governments. He said the Arunachal Pradesh government has also sent a proposal for integrated development of adventure tourism in the state under the ‘Swadesh Dar- shan’ scheme. The Buddhist Circuit can include monasteries and gompas spread across Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. These states along with North Bengal can also be a part of the Himalayan circuit. As yet unidentified by the scheme, the diverse landscape and a variety of tribal population can also be included in Wildlife, Eco-Tourism and Trib- al circuits. The flora and fauna of the North Eastern hills is the most unique. There are still some species yet to be discovered by modern science. Coastal Circuit: Currently, Odisha is making out projects for Gopalpur, Puri, Chandipur, Talsari under the Coast- al Circuit Development Programme. With 480 km long coast the state is a prominent coastal tourist destination in India. The Chilka lagoon is one of the most attractive tourist spot with its unique natural bounty. Andaman & Nicobar islands in the Tawang monastery is a repository of precious Buddhist scriptures Bay of Bengal is also part of the coastal circuit. With better air and sea connectivity these islands can match the antiquity. The sanctum sanctorum, “Some of the factors responsible for scenic splendour of islands in South embellished by a ceiling rich with poor tourist inflow to the destination East Asia. murals, is a 26 feet high gilded statue are lack of connectivity, non-avail- The Swadesh Darshan scheme is of Buddha. ability of reasonably priced hotel ac- still in the early stage of implementa- In a written reply to a question in commodation, absence of tourism in- tion. It needs to be seen how the am- the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for frastructure and carrying capacity of bitous scheme is turned into reality. Tourism Mahesh Sharma said the the destination.” With proper advocacy of the re- number of foreign tourist arrivals He said the government has includ- spective state governments there are in the eight northeastern states of ed the northeast in two new tourism many more areas of Eastern India Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, schemes that have been launched. which can be included in the 12 cir- Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sik- Apart from the Northeast Circuit un- cuits. The unexplored region can be kim and Tripura in 2014 was 118,552 der the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme, brought into the limelight through compared to 84,820 in 2013 -- mark- two other circuits under the scheme - this grand plan. If the implementa- ing a 39.76 percent increase. In 2012, Buddhist Circuit and Himalayan Cir- tion is done properly the hospitality the figure was 66,302. cuit - can be linked to the region. sector will be the biggest gainer.

40 | MYSTIC EAST HEART OF THE HOUSE January - February 2016

"We are the sensory organs of a hotel" INDRANI SANYAL, Director, Housekeeping Swissotel, Kolkata, believes even the best of the machines will never be able to offer the personal touch in service

What are the major challenges faced by the motivated in terms of their environment. The other side housekeepers in your hotel? is compensation and packages. We have to follow a strict Availability of good quality staff is a big challenge. Today’s norm and you cannot make much commitment beyond a generation is quite ambitious and they wish move fast limit. You can ensure to provide a good environment and ahead in the career ladder, without spending much time there must me learning in the department. They must be in making their foundations strong. So the retention of kept engaged in a positive way. But if someone with a po- quality staff—in the supervisor and upwards—is a big chal- tential gets an opportunity I cannot offer, I don’t wish to lenge. In other words, training people is difficult but then hold him/her back. Everybody has a desire to dream big you can’t retain them for a long period of time. Some of the and achieve it. responsibility is outsourced. But getting quality work done by those staff is also a recurring challenge. Since housekeeping is no more considered a back-of-the-house job do you encourage the staff Are guests these days too demanding? Is it to to interact with the guests? stressful for the staff to handle the demands? We call ourselves the ‘heart of the house’. We are the sen- Guest demands would always be increasing. And this is not sory organs of the organization. We understand the pulse unexpected because they look for value for money. It is a of the guests. This is why we encourage the guests at every repetitive cycle. But there are a few things that are quite level to interact with the guest in an informal and general difficult to handle. Sometimes communication clarity is not way. We also take feedback from them to read the mind there. A guest may say I am unhappy, but can’t say what of the guest. We also identify the staffers who are shy and he/she is not happy about. They’ll say I am unhappy about train to communicate in an effective way with the guest. the room, but won’t say specifically what is wrong with it. And we don’t even get a chance to meet the demand. Then With advancements in technology and they are out in the electronic media and criticize on ‘poor’ modernization, is the face of housekeeping service. changing? In future can you do with minimum manpower? You mean online reviews in travel sites? Do you It’s an eternal question I have been facing for the last 10 years. receive bad review threats from customer? Indeed there are better machines that help me do jobs that I Yes we do. We have some guideline to handle these. Unless couldn’t do earlier. They are faster too. But the basic backbone the demand is unreasonable, we try to honour it without is not changing. You can’t do away with the human touch. compromising on the finances. If we can’t honour we apologize citing the appropriate reason. We also try and pro- Do you follow green housekeeping? vide alternatives. We do follow basic principles of sustainability in housekeeping. All are chemicals and packages are eco-friendly. As you mentioned attrition is a teething problem. We use minimal plastics and help conserve electricity. We You must be facing poaching by your competitors use ‘Green Cards’ for our guests. If they don’t want us to in the sector? change the linen they can use this to indicate their wish. I look at the problem in two ways. Some bit of attrition I Most guests agree to do this, in case of bed linen. But even always consider as healthy. First I need to keep my staff then they want us to change the bath linen on a daily basis.

MYSTIC EAST | 41 COVERTOURISM STORY Tea tourism! A taste of india Realising the tremendous tourism potential that tea gardens in North East India have, many tea companies are now converting their age-old tea heritage bungalows into tourist resorts

Verdant green of the tea gardens is therapeutic for the urban soul

ROM Siliguri in north Ben- ing local people. The result: the new Addabarie Tea Estate, established by gal to Dibrugarh in upper trend of tea tours. the British Assam Tea Company in Assam, all along the stretch In a tea tour guests get to travel 1864. of National Highway lies in tea gardens and pluck tea leaves. The main heritage bungalow has Fthe tea country. The sheer beauty of Nature walks, trekking, rafting and been restored from a 108-year-old the land makes this truly God’s own golf are also on offer, punctuated, of property, the restaurant was a garage country. If you have had the experi- course, by as much tea tasting as you for tractors and the conference room, ence of travelling across, you won’t like. police barracks. The whole ambience miss the British-era bungalows can is a recreation of the planter’s life be seen peeping out of the expansive Wild Mahseer, Assam during the British raj – the cuisine is green through the magnolia trees and This is a premium property owned by similar to the anglo-Indian meals that the frangipani bushes. River Journeys & Bungalows of India was so popular then (and now), the In what has become a trend in the Pvt. Ltd located in the centre of As- meals are served around a fireplace or last decade, tea companies are taking sam, on the north bank of the Brah- an open bonfire by liveried orderlies. a relook at some of these bungalows, maputra River in the district of Sonit- in order to make them income-gener- pur, 20 minutes from the ancient city Glenburn, Darjeeling ating ventures, while also promoting of Tezpur. It is a beautiful oasis set in Nestled in a mountain about an hour the cause of the industry and help- the midst of the Balipara division of and half from Darjeeling city, the

42 | MYSTIC EAST January - February 2016

Glenburn Tea estate is a sprawling 1600 acre property with about 600 acres of tea estates and 1000 acres of forested land. The original residence of the estate manager known as the “Burra Bungalow” and a new four roomed villa called the “Water Lily Bungalow” provide eight rooms of pure unadulterated experience. Glen- burn Tea Estate was originally started by a Scottish tea company in 1859 and passed into one of India's prominent tea planting families, the Prakashes. The estate was lovingly restored in 2002 and since then has been widely regarded as one of the very best luxury boutique hotels in India, with guests returning year after year.

Cochrane Place, Kurseong One of the best places to delve into the world of Darjeeling tea, the cham- pagne of all teas, is Cochrane Place. The renovated stately home that once belonged to Percy John Cochrane is located on the outskirts of Kurseong town. Both Bagdogra airport and Dar- jeeling town are less than two hours’ drive away. Perched high up on the ridge, Cochrane Place offers breathtaking views of the mighty Kanchenjunga and also of the rolling tea gardens. It’s close to tea gardens, such as Ambootia, Makaibari and Castleton, that produce the best quality Darjeeling tea. Combining old world charm and modern amenities, Cochrane Place rooms are cozy and comfortable. Each of the 31 rooms of Cochrane Place have their distinctive character and reflect the spirit of the British Raj. Each of the rooms are complete with Burma Teak four poster beds, wood paneling and flooring, hand crafted furniture and false fire places

Zurrantee, Dooars Perched on a hilltop overlooking miles of sloping valleys and tea gardens, Zu- rrantee, a heritage resort 80km from Siliguri, is straight out of a fairytale. The resort, revamped from the estate direc-

MYSTIC EAST | 43 TOURISM

Burra Saheb's bungalow can take a traveller to the Raj era tor’s bungalow, is ensconced in a tea es- The idea of Tea Trail tate in the state of Sikkim. The garden tate in the Himalayan foothills, nestled is just 18 km from Ravangla and can between the rivers Murti and Neora. It’s is fast blooming. A be visited on a day tour from Ravan- three hours from Bagdogra airport. trip that offers the gla. The garden is spread on a slope The result of a joint venture between below Tendong along the highway to Solutions Inc and Darjeeling Dooars back-packer and the West Sikkim from Gangtok. Plantations (Tea) Limited, the bunga- luxury tourist alike, Best place to stay here is Cherry low was originally built in 1890 and was Resort, right in the middle of tea gar- owned by the Duncan Tea Estate. DDPL a taste of the great dens. Set amid a lush green carpet acquired the property in 1977 and it outdoors and a of manicured tea gardens, with 360 functioned as the MD’s residence there- degree views of Mt. Kangchendzonga after. In its new avatar as a ‘heritage glimpse into history and the Tista River gorge nearly 8000 getaway’, it is only about a month old. would be hard to metres below, Cherry Resort sets a Zurrantee is one of the few Dooars es- new standard for Himalayan hill re- tates to have ventured into tea-tourism. resist sorts. Every spacious room has a deck Zurrantee, with its bungalow that looking onto a picture-perfect land- sits amidst a 700-acre expanse of tea scape, with wafts of the cool, fresh Hi- gardens (including the factory and malayan to fill your lungs. employees’ quarters), is for the tour- The Tea Trail, is an idea, fast ist who is looking to relax in a quiet blooming across North East India. place, away from the bustle. The idea A trip that offers the back-pack and is to de-stress and detach. the luxury tourist alike, a taste of the great outdoors, a true plantation ex- Temi, Sikkim perience and a glimpse into history Temi Tea Garden is the only Tea Es- would indeed be hard to resist.

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Biryani aficionados must have already guessed Mirza’s illustrious family. A resident of Metiabruz in Kolkata (nee Calcutta), he’s a descendant of Wajid Ali Shah, the deposed Nawab of Awadh. After the British annexed his kingdom in 1856, Shah continued to maintain his love and patronage for the arts and cuisine as he spent his last days in the outskirts of the city with his vast entourage of court musicians, dancers (he is regarded as a major pa- tron of Kathak), and cooks. And right there, on the banks of the Hooghly, he set about recreating Lucknow.

Touch of awadh Said Mirza to IANS last year during the Kolkata Literary Festival, “He en- FOOD sured the royal chefs maintained the same standards of cooking and followed the secret recipes to the core.” According to him a lot of experiment- ing was done in the royal kitchen and while dining, typical Awadhi food Biryani’s long etiquette was kept in mind. “Khaane ki tehzeeb hoti hai (There is a proper method to consuming food). We still maintain this and don’t have anything journey else before or after biryani-- a complete meal in itself.” Among the numerous variety of Once a delicacy of the Nawabs, Biryani has come a biryani available across the country, long way in the past few centuries. Perhaps there Kolkata—and eastern India—still fa- vours and has widely adopted the art is no better ubiquitous culinary delight that some from Awadh, perfected in the city. Kolkata restaurants offer—following the legacy of Wajid Ali Shah died barely a year after being exiled and his neo-Lucknow Awadhi kitchens collapsed, as the British auctioned most of his vast property. However, the one asset they could do nothing about was his culinary legacy. AHEBZADA Wasif Mirza loves that cloves and cardamoms don’t mess Perhaps the singular symbol of this his biryani light. In his house- up the rice. When the saffron-tinged is the potato in the Lucknavi biryani, S hold the dish is made in the mound of fluffy rice descends on the presumed to have been added for Dum Pukht style – slow cooking on porcelain plate you can find each bulk, and proudly touted as Kolkata’s a charcoal fire in sealed containers. long grain magically separate. Some signature contribution to the dish it Usually the gosht and potatoes are of these are slighly brown but most- calls its own. Scores of restaurants partially cooked, layered and then left ly yellowish orange. The goat’s meat and ‘biryani-houses’ in the city offer to sit in with rice. Whole spices are is tender, courtesy a secret spice mix their own versions. Some serve scent- carefully wrapped in muslin, lowered for the meat marinade not revealed to ed rice generously laden with browned in the broth and then withdrawn, so outsiders as it’s a family secret. potatoes while others exclude the tu-

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The aam admi's food from Awadh has come a long way and found its place on the connoisseur's plate

ber and replace it with paltry chunks of ingredients that is needed to make times, however, Arsalan Restaurant, of chicken. But one thing is common: a perfect Biryani. ‘Simple in looks but at the Park Circus Seven Point has they all follow the Nawab’s legacy. carries the subtle of flavours within become a favourite joint for foodies. is that denotes Aminia’s Biryani the Their biryani rank one of the best Potato in the pot best. Little of colors and greasy oils in the country as its taste lingers in According to a survey by a renowned make the Biryanis indeed tastier than the mouth for long. They too have Indian newspaper, Kolkata Biryani the rest. In the last few years, Aminia branched out across the city, but in was crowned the Numero Uno. Ba- has opened several branches across order to savour the best, one should sically, an amalgam of Mughlai and the city and its suburbs. From Gol- visit the main branch at Park Circus. Awadhi style of cooking, the biryani in park, Tollygunje and Baghajatin in We end this culinary note with Ab- Kolkata is much simpler to cook, but the south, to Rajarhat, Nager Bazar dul Halim Sharar, a courtier in nawab tastes superb with the addition of su- and Shyambazar in the north, Aminia Wajid Ali Shah’s Lucknow durbar, per soft potatoes and boiled eggs. But is now accessible to the masses. who wrote the real raeez of Lucknow even among the best Mughlai restau- Shiraz restaurant, located at the preferred mutton pulao to biryani, rants in the city the style varies widely. Mullick Bazar crossing, has been ca- which was bit of an aam aadmi food. Located at the heart of the city, tering to the Calcuttan’s rising de- But the aam admi food has come a close to the iconic New Market, Amin- mand of “Awadhi Biryani” since years long way and metamorphosed to earn ia’s Biryani has just the right amount now with pride and élan. In recent a place on connoisseur’s plate.

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N quite moments Sanjeev Patra loves to kick back by looking at I some comments posted by customers at online hotel review sites. Specifically, the terrible reviews. FAKE REVIEWS “Clean and Neat. But everything is a trouble,” wrote some TanaySai based at Bangalore. "Its average and upto standard of a 3 star accomodation (sic)," posted one Mohammed Re- Deal with saf. Patra is the Managing Director of Sandy's Tower, a luxury hotel in Bhubaneswar, and a user of consumer review sites, such as TripAdvisor, Goibibo, Agora, Travelguru and so online critics on. Says Patra, "The pettiness and hysteria of some of the complaints Controversy is growing amid charges of fake online never fail to shock me, from 'the mo- reviews and defamatory comments. Learn to fight bile-phone reception was patchy in the lobby', to 'hot water taps in the back the menace toilet spewed scalding hot water'. It simply blows my mind."

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Sudesh Poddar, the owner of two Walia, vice president, Federation of and classic cuisine to mouldy beds fine dining restaurants in Calcutta, Hotel and Restaurant Association and bland food, slowly turned into an Manthan and Song Hai, and a luxu- of India (FHRAI), "Last September important marketing tool for booking ry hotel in Dibrugarh, Assam, is also , in our annual convention at Bhu- sites to make or break fortunes in the livid with anger. "You won't find any baneswar, representatives from top hospitality business. But now things mention of Hotel Natraj, the only review sites had to face a barrage of are turning uglier as there is growing four-star hotel in upper Assam, in questions from hoteliers and restau- evidence that individuals and com- the list of top hotels in the region in rateurs who expressed anger and panies are cheating the system — up- review sites. Neither will you find frustration at some reviews posted ping their ratings by posting positive my restaurants—located near Espla- on their sites. There is certainly some reviews for themselves or damaging nade—among the highly rated ones in foul play in the review system." Walia the reputations’ of rivals with nega- restaurant review sites," adds Poddar goes on to hint that some review sites tive ones. Customers have also been who is also the president of Hotel and “manipulate comments in exchange found to flex their online muscles to Restaurant Association of Eastern In- of commercial gains” or kickbacks. exact special treatment or meet un- dia (HRAEI). The argument exposed the dark side reasonable demand from hotels and Patra and Poddar are among a of online reviews that help one book restaurants. growing tribe of hoteliers who ques- a holiday or visit a restaurant. What Sometimes owners of restaurants tion the legitimacy of some reviews started as online platforms for pas- find terrible online reviews of their posted on online review and travel sionate people to praise or denounce eatery. It can turn out to be a hand- booking sites. Says Tejinder Singh everything from romantic getaways iwork of an old friend or a rival who

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want to seek revenge and spoil vices. People also create anon- the reputation. When some- ymous ids and post negative or body posts such a nasty review defamatory comments on the there's no way to find out if the rating system to defame the vic- person really visited the restau- How to Respond to tim. Even sites like Facebook rant or get such information on have not been able to device when or what the reviewer or- Negative Hotel Reviews systems to screen such offen- dered. So it's difficult to address sive posts. The only option for any problem or find out if the In general, you want to show prospectives that your the victim is to file a defamation service was really poor." hotel reads, internalizes, and responds to reviews. You suit through the Indian Penal Repufact is a company that should personalize your responses to the guest review, Code. analyses customer reviews and and show your brand voice. You should also research the Such bitter rivalry has ratings across the Internet for issue before you respond, so that you are aware of as spawned a new breed of pro- many details of the guest’s stay as possible. Did the guest over 550 hotels in India. Its fessionals who ensure that the complain before checkout? Is there a record of his or her CEO Deepak Mavinkurve often image of a business remains communications with your staff? finds fake reviews and some unsullied by unfavourable com- chaos around the system, es- 1. Thank the guest by name ments online. Called online rep- pecially in sites that allow un- Even if the negative review is aggressive or hurtful, you utation managers (ORM), they verified posts from anonymous should thank the guest for taking the time to give feed- offer to purge negative posts back. Take a minute and remember that all feedback is reviewers. He cites an instance or visuals, bury unfavourable valuable. And, if you handle the situation gracefully, it can when a celebrity demanded an search results and monitor a mitigate the effects of the bad review in the eyes of your unreasonable discount from a prospective guests. client's virtual image 24/7. Mumbai restaurant and threat- The best thing a hotel can do ened to defame the eatery 2. Apologize for the guest’s poor is to actively monitor its reviews through an unfavourable re- experience using online reputation man- view on his massively popular Remember, an apology is not an admission of guilt or agement software. A hotel or Twitter handle in an effort to wrongdoing. For whatever reason this guest’s expecta- restaurant must actively track extract the discount. tions were not met, which is disappointing for anybody. their online reputation and You should express sympathy that his or her experience Such review threats are be- leverage feedback from guests fell short of expectation. coming quite common. It so to improve their service or they happens that a customer might 3. Highlight any changes you have will lose business. say there is a problem with my made or intend to make Top hotel and restaurant meal and if you don't fix it I This is a good opportunity to take the conversation offline sites, however, strongly oppose will get you to the social media. to avoid further public conflict. If the situation warrants, the hoteliers' views on fake or There is always a chance that “changes you have made or intend to make” can be as fraudulent reviews. Leading some people might write a fake simple as inviting the guest to contact you, so you can travel website companies pro- or bad review to extract some- make it right. Don’t promise any form of compensation viding reviews of travel-related online to avoid setting a precedent. thing from a hotel or a restau- content claim they fight fraud rant, believe reputation man- 4. Evaluate the need for follow aggressively and have sophis- agement experts. up procedures. ticated systems and teams in With the growing impact of If you have the guest’s contact information it’s a good idea place to detect fraudsters. They online reviews on the hospital- to send them a personal email to express your apologies also impose strong penalties ity business some hotels and and offer compensation if appropriate. Additionally, you to deter them. Apparently, re- food joints are taking the easy should ask the following questions about the review: views posted in their sites go way out by posting phony re- Did this guest experience a systemic problem that each through their system handled views to ambush their rivals. customer could face? by multiple content specialists Some social media consultants Is there an easy fix to the problem? in order to maintain the quality claim that there are firms which Is the problem unfounded or not likely to be repeated? of reviews. either put their own people to Or is the problem linked to something you cannot easily Restaurant review sites also write positive reviews or hire change, like infrastructure or design? claim to investigate each and agencies to trash rivals and glo- Source: www.revinate.com every review connecting with rify their own products and ser- the reviewer over a phone call

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Never get browbeaten by review bullies

1. Take the threat seriously, but don’t allow it to cloud your judgment. Handle it like any other complaint: remain calm and professional, offer options, and do everything within reason to find a solution. 2. If you feel the need to acknowledge the threat, say, “We would prefer you didn’t write a negative review. How can we resolve this situation to your satisfaction?” If the answer is, “Comp my charges!”, say you’re sorry but you’re not at liberty to do that. Then say what youcan do. 3. Record all details for future reference. 4. Most people won’t follow through with the threat once calmer heads prevail, especially if you handled the situation with empathy and professionalism. If the guest does post a review and it’s false and damaging, dispute it with the host site. 5. The reviewer might be a lost cause, but you may want to reassure other travelers by posting a response. For example, you might say, “Our recollection of this incident is quite different from how it is described here. We feel we acted reasonably under the circumstances, and while we wish the outcome had been different, we stand by the decision.” 5. Be respectful in your response, and avoid “he said, she said” banter. Don’t saying anything that or an email. Some travel booking travellers are losing their faith over might provoke the reviewer to take the grievance websites enable customers to post hotel review sites. A growing number to other review sites and social networks. real pictures of the rooms they stay of them would rather listen to her in- 6. If the reviewer comes across as unreasonable along with reviews in to ensure trans- stincts rather than getting influenced or irrational in the review, you might decide to parency. Some site have a question by the opinion of the crowd posted on remain silent and let readers draw their own and answer platform where custom- the review sites. One frequent trav- conclusions. If your reputation is otherwise solid, ers and hotel owners exchange notes eller says, "Years ago when Internet travelers aren’t likely to be deterred. to make things clear. was young we went backpacking with 7. Write guidelines into your Social Media Policy All review sites, however, vehe- friends armed with a dog-eared travel so that employees have the confidence of mently oppose the view that review guidebook. Recommendations didn't knowing where they stand in such situations, the sites "generate revenue from manip- always match the reality and we went options they have, and that upper management ulated reviews". They admit a small asking around. Eventually we landed will support their decisions. fraction of customers may be too in a cheap and obscure place run by 8. Afterward, debrief with staff and discuss how demanding. Site owner believe that some old mom and pop," you might prevent a future recurrence. Take they are not just helping the hospi- That’s how it worked then: we were comfort in having done your best, and move on. tality sector improve its service but is in an information-poor environment. There’s too much positive and constructive feed- providing free marketing and robust You never quite knew what to expect, back out there to waste an inordinate amount of business. but wasn’t that why you were travel- time on these unscrupulous types. While the argument goes on some ling? Source: http://reknown.com/

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STATE SURVEY Jewel in India's Crown The only floating National Park in the world N oval shaped valley sur- Loktak Lake & Keibul Lamjao rounded by blue green Loktak Lake is the largest fresh- Manipur, a little A hills, rich in art and tra- water lake in North -East India is dition, Manipur, has inspired de- famous for the phumdis (heteroge- Shangri-La located scription such as the ‘Switzerland neous mass of vegetation, soil, and in North East India, of the East’ with its cascading rap- organic matters at various stages of ids, varieties of flora and fauna and decomposition) floating over it. It is the least explored a colourful tribal population. is located near Moirang in Manipur state. It promises to The state presents a blend of nat- state, India. The largest of all the ural beauties, festivals, arts, dance, phumdis covers an area of 40 sq km be the greatest tourist music, history, cuisine and spiritu- and is situated on the southeastern discovery of the alism. The following aspects throw shore of the lake. The Keibul Lam- light on the state’s beauty that will jao, the only floating national park current century surely turn into a desired destina- in the world, is the last natural ref- tion of the discerning traveller. uge of the endangered sangai or

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are studded with floating phumdis of different geometrical shapes. The important islands which offer facilities for visitors are the Sandra and Phubala. The Sendra Tourist Home on the island with an attached Caf- eteria in the middle of the lake is an ideal tourist spot. Visitors get a bird's eye view of life on the lake—small islands that are actually floating weed on which the lake people live. Phubala resort, on the Phubala , is 40 km from Imphal.

Khangkhui Mangsor & Siroy Lily Khangkhui Limestone Cave is a cave system in Cretaceous limestone. The wild cave is guided by locals for tourists, but is not developed except for some trails. Lamps are provided by the guide. The number of visitors seems to be rather low, so interested tourist groups are narrated the legend about the cave by the village elders of Khangkhui Khullen. As often the legend is told in different ways, so we try to give an overview. According to legend a King named Mangsorwung had a lovely Queen Pung Cholam is a spellbounding performance; (bottom) a Vaishnavite devotee and built for her a chamber of the cave which still is remembered as first wife chamber inside the Khangkhui Manipur brow-antlered deer (Cervus Cave. The next chamber has been eldi eldi). christened as Second Wife Chamber, This ancient lake plays an import- because the King erected it for his ant role in the economy of Manipur. second wife. Subsequent chambers It serves as a source of water for hy- are named after his sons. The biggest dropower generation, irrigation and hall was the throne room of the king. drinking water supply. The lake is In some versions of the story the king also a source of livelihood for the is called the Devil King. rural fishermen who live in the sur- The cave has a pit with a diameter rounding areas and on phumdis, also of 5m and a depth of 30m, which is known as “phumshongs”. Consider- called Shirata (falling star hole) in the ing the ecological status and its bio- local Tangkhul dialect. The cave was diversity values, the lake was initially used as a shelter during World War II designated as a wetland of interna- by the locals. tional importance under the Ramsar Ukhrul is also the land of Siroy Lily Convention on 23 March 1990. (Lilium Mackliniae), the exotic orchid Visitor Information: The lake offers found in the Siroi Hills. Every year excellent opportunities for visitors to thousand of scientists and tourists all enjoy the beauty of the lake and its over the world come to see this pre- several islands located inside it that cious flower. The district is also home

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to many waterfalls, of which Khayang Fauna includes Includes Hoolock waterfall, which is about 20 km from Gibbon, Wildbear, Himalayan moun- Ukhrul, is very famous tain bear, Indian Civet feline, Com- Visitor Information: The cave is 15 mon Otter, Pangolin, panther and so kms from Ukhrul in northernMani- forth, 29 types of reptiles which in- pur, the abode of Thangkhul Nagas. corporate Tortoise, Viper, Krait, Co- Ukhrul is 88 kms from the state cap- bra, Python, Land Monitor Lizard, 86 ital Imphal, reachable through NH types of fishes and 6 types of creatures 150. The district headquarters has of amphibians. quite a few good hotels. Visitor information: The best time to visit the sanctuary is October to Yangoupokpi-Lokchao April. Accommodation for overnight Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanc- is accessible at the following rest tuary is located in the Chandel Dis- houses: Forest Rest House, Moreh, trict along the Indo-Myanmar inter- Netaji Subhash Indo-Myanmar Trade Centre Rest national border close to Moreh. The House, Moreh, Transit Camp at Wild- unique feature of the sanctuary is its Chandra Bose life Office, Moreh. Since the place is varied diversity. hoisted the Indian close to Moreh visitors can hire a taxi/ Bamboos are found abundantly in cab to reach the destination. Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanc- National Flag in tuary. This area contains several spe- Moirang on Ina War Memorial cies of Dipterocarpaceae. Important The INA War Memorial is located in species of Bamboos that are grown in April 14, 1944 Moirang in Bishnupur district of Ma- this area are Melaconna, Bamboosa nipur. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose etc. hoisted the Indian flag at this spot for the very first time on April 14, 1944. He was credited with founding the In- dian National Army (INA) or the Azad Hind Fauj, whose purpose was to lib- erate India from the British with the help of the Japanese troops. The INA was first founded in 1942 and was later revived by Bose in 1943. Following the hoisting of the flag, Moirang became the headquarters of the INA and occupies a place in the historical annals of India's freedom movement. The INA memorial also houses a museum which contains some mementos and personal arti- facts of people involved with the INA. The construction of the monument began in 1967 when there were reasonable funds collected from the state and central governments. The Netaji Library was completed on October 21. The union tourism ministry had in 2010 sanctioned the first installment of Rs 12 crore for upgradation of the 'Indian National Army memorial complex mega project'. Siroi Lily, the unique orchid The site is quite popular with Japa-

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represents the worship of traditional deities and ancestors. The festival is in part a recollection of the creation stories played the deities with the first origin of this universe and evolution of the plants and animals through the will of Atiya Shidaba. Khamba Thoibi dance is a duet of male and female partners, a dance of dedication to the sylvan deity, Thang- jing of Moirang , is the depiction of the dance performed by Khamba and Thoibi, the hero and heroine of the Moirang episode of the hoary past. Pung or Manipuri Mridanga is the soul of Manipuri Sankritana music and Classical Manipuri Dance. It assumes an important ritual character, an indispensable part of all social and devotional ceremonies in Manipur, - the instrument itself becoming an object of veneration. Pung Cholom is performed as an invocatory number preceding the Sankirtana and Raas Leela. It is hignly refined classical dance number characterised by the modula- INA Memorial Complex, Moirang tion of sound from soft whisper to a thunderous climax. nese and English visitors who visit to ly Bengali poets and some Manipuri Crafts & Textile pay tribute to their forefathers whose Gurus. Manipur is famous for its special fab- lives perished inManipur during According to the legend, the indig- rics like moiraingphee, leirum, las- World War II. enous people of the Manipur valley ingphee and phanek. Tribal textiles Visitor information: Imphal Airport were the dance-expert Gandharvas are woven on a loin-loom, a type of is located some 30 km from Moirang. mentioned in the Hindu epics like Ra- back-strap loom commonly used by Imphal has a number of good hotels. mayana and Mahabharata. Not only hill people. Weaving is universal and is dance a medium of worship and every girl knows how to weave. The Dances & Festivals enjoyment, a door to the divine, but loom forms part of her dowry. Weav- Manipur has a diversified rich cultur- indispensable for all socio-cultural ing is done purely for personal use, al and ethnic heritage being home to ceremonies. by the women, while highly organ- varied dance forms, festivals, indige- With 34 recognised scheduled ised commercial weaving is done by nous cuisines and other exotic forms. tribes in the state, with each tribe men. The state is famous across the having its own dance forms with dis- There is an aura of religion and ro- world for classical style of dance tinct attire, Manipur is pot pourri of mance around cotton-weaving. Each known as Raas Leela which is dis- folk dances. All the tribes have also a process and design is highlighted by tinct from other Indian dance forms. variety of colourful festivals adorned a legend and connected with special Manipuri dance is purely religious with ritual dances. Lai Haraoba is a functions, dances, and ceremonies. and its aim is a spiritual experience. festival, associated with Meiteis cel- The patterns in use here are typical This is a highly evolved dance drama ebrated to please traditional deities. of the region. Bold colours and geo- or ballet, choreographed on 'Vaish- Celebrated in honour of the sylvan de- metrical patterns are in evidence in navite Padavalis' composed by main- ities known as Umang Lai,the festival most of their textiles.

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