Whenever travel enthusiasts in Kochi feel like sitting down for a cup of piping hot tea and parippu vada, they think of the Sri Balaji Coffee House at Gandhi Nagar.
The Sri Balaji Coffee House had become a talking point after it emerged that its owner Vijayan and his wife Mohana were travelling the world using their meagre earnings. The numerous photos pasted on the wall stood testimony to their passion for travelling. Apart from the pleasure of munching on the snacks and gulping down the tea, the travel enthusiasts could also take some pride that they too were contributing to the couple’s tours, albeit in a small way.
The couple’s tales of globetrotting made headlines, and inspired several people to find time and save money to pursue their interest in travelling. Vijayan and Mohana had proved that dreams are not meant to be stacked away but to be fulfilled. The globetrotting tea-seller couple had visited 26 countries. They were planning to travel to Japan next but Vijayan passed away last year, unable to fulfil this wish.
Now, Kochi-based Soman’s Leisure Tours has offered to cover all the travel expenses of Mohana Vijayan's trip to Japan.
Soman’s Group MD M K Soman made this announcement on International Women's Day, during an event held to honour the women who made significant contributions in the fight against COVID-19 but were never in the limelight.
Soman’s Leisure Tours along with Soman’s Global Education presented the ‘Women of Inspiration’ award to three women. Senior civil police officer A V Biji of the Panangad police station, nursing assistant Nicy Jose of the Ernakulam general hospital, and social worker Seenath of the Senhatheeram Charitable Trust in Aluva, were honoured.
During the event held at the Kaloor head office, MD Soman presented the cash reward of Rs 10,001, citation and memento to the women. Director Jeena said that the winners were selected with the help of various government departments and social service organisations.
Also, Soman’s Group is organising tour packages, exclusively for women, to destinations such as Dubai, Kashmir, and Gavi-Thekkady. The booking for the tours was also launched during the event. Valsala Gopinath, chairperson of Lions Club Zone 5 Soul, launched the Europe Travel Fest that is organised by the Soman’s Group. M K Soman said that the three-day Europe Travel Fest offers the cheapest prices on tour packages to visit Europe in 2022.
