She might be a little girl, but third grader S Vedha from Kasaragod knows how to entertain tourists, thanks to her command over English and knowledge about her neighbourhood's historical locations.
During her summer holidays, the young tour guide is busy taking travellers around, as they too enjoy the thrill of learning about the place from a child. The daughter of a couple who have been working in the tourism industry for years, one can say she has 'hospitality' in her blood! Here' how little Vedha got interested in being a guide:
Assisting her mother
Vedha’s mother works at a homestay near their native place in Olinjavalappu at Ananthanpalla. Vedha often accompanies the foreigners who stay here to different tourist spots in the district. The tourists are eager to know about the rich culture and traditions of the place from Vedha who speaks English fluently.
She accompanies them when they go to the beach, enjoys houseboat ride or participate in the temple festivals. Vedha’s parents have been working in the tourism sector for years. So, it became easier for her to promptly answer the questions asked by the tourists, who are foreigners.
The countryside
Vedha says that most foreign tourist are curious to know about the agriculture and the birds that are seen here. They often ask her about the plants and flowers that grow in the locality. Those who have enjoyed her company do not forget to shower praises on their ‘little’ tour guide. Vedha says that she was surprised when the tourists from England, France and Germany came here just to watch ‘theyyam’.
Vedha is a student at Neeleswaram St. Peter’s School. Her father KK Sasi works as a manager at the Hermitage Beach resort in Palai Ozhinjavalappu. Meanwhile, her mother NV Sunitha is a caretaker at the homestay. She has an elder sister S Sreelakshmi who is a Class twelve student.
