The traditional décor of ‘Orami’ restaurant from chairs to the bamboo ceilings, branches of the rhododendron tree adorn the walls. (Morung Photo)
Keren Rose Ovung
Morung Express Feature
Kohima | April 2
The journey has been long …from a small wayside eatery to a respectable restaurant, the road has been paved with hurdles but Asi Kera, a young man ‘dying to live’, has stood the test of time and finally realised his dream of owning a ‘proper’ restaurant.
The Morung Express had carried his story sometime last year when all he had was a bus waiting shed to sell fast food in the late evenings when all other eateries close. Battling all kinds of weather from flooded floors to wind swept sand on tables, Asi has seen it all.
‘Orami’ the restaurant was formally inaugurated on the 24th March, with a simple ceremony. The interiors are all testament to the multi talented owner who states that each nail bears his seal of love, as he had meticulously planned and designed the restaurant.
The décor of ‘Orami’ is traditional and all interiors are made of locally available products right from the chairs to the bamboo ceilings, branches of the rhododendron tree adorn the walls and one can also sip on the órami’ tea while taking in the beautiful décor.
Speaking to the Morung Express, Asi states that after his story was carried in the paper, he finally got assistance from the CM’s Corpus fund and also an interest free loan from the ‘Entrepreneurs Associate’. Recounting his journey, Asi says that he had run his wayside eatery for almost two years till he finally got his dream restaurant. Having no finances to hire help, he had to work round the clock doing labour which would normally require more manpower, with no money to buy bamboo and build machans for nailing higher parts, Asi would get a cousin on whose shoulder he would stand while nailing!
Today the sacrifices have paid off and a beaming Asi even presented a Tenyidie version of the popular number ‘You raise me up’ during the opening of his restaurant. Thanking all who were instrumental in helping him on his journey, Asi states that he is again especially lucky to have a benevolent house owner, Viu Belho who did not take any security perhaps knowing the struggle of a man who set out to challenge the odds.
‘Orami’ is a restaurant where one can dress up and take the family out for a decent meal. Asi adds that Kohima has no night life, hence ‘Orami’ is an attempt to encourage families to eat out in a respectable setting while also promoting our locally available products like the bamboo. The restaurant serves only ethnic Naga dishes and opens from 12noon to 9pm. It is situated near NSF Martyrs Park above the Family Planning Office. Visitors can also while away time admiring the décor which is unique and definitely ‘Orami’ or ‘of our village’.
