Janakeeya hotels are a unique feature of Kerala’s food culture. These small eateries serve affordable, home-cooked meals to people from all walks of life. Janakeeya hotels are typically operated by women, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds. They provide a source of income for these women and are an essential part of the local economy.
Unfortunately, the women who run these hotels are facing a challenging situation. The government subsidies that they rely on have dried up, and they are struggling to make ends meet. Many Janakeeya hotel groups are now in debt, and some are considering shutting down their businesses altogether.
Sarojam said, “If we receive subsidies on time, we will be able to make ends meet. We are now in a crisis and that is why we are introducing breakfast.”
Jeena said, “There is nothing left to sell. We need to get around Rs 22 lakhs as subsidy from the government and authorities are not giving us a definite answer.”
Deepa is one of the many women who are working tirelessly to keep their Janakeeya hotels afloat. Along with two other women, she runs a Janakeeya hotel in Pattom. They pay a daily rent of INR 2,000, and they rely on government subsidies to keep their prices affordable. However, when the subsidies stopped coming, they had to take drastic measures to keep their business going. They extended their working hours, modified their menu, and hired two migrant laborers to help them run the hotel.
These efforts have helped them stay in business, but it has come at a cost. They have barely enough time to rest, and Deepa has not received a subsidy for lunch in over a year.
Sarojam and her team are facing similar challenges. They operate a Janakeeya hotel at Overbridge and are owed around INR 13 lakhs by the government. This has left them struggling to pay their bills, and they are now borrowing money to keep their business going. They are pleading with people to lend them money so that they can pay their electricity bills and continue to operate.
Despite these challenges, the women who run Janakeeya hotels remain determined to keep their businesses going. They are exploring new ways to increase their revenue, such as by introducing breakfast along with lunch. They are also seeking support from the government and the community. By raising awareness of their struggles, they hope to secure the support they need to continue serving affordable, home-cooked meals to the people of Thiruvananthapuram.
