Santhan Alva: The Bellean who introduced Touche Sizzlers in Dubai

Report by Dr. Eugene D’Souza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 02 May 2010: Santhan Alva was born on 31st May 1956 in Padubelle as the eldest among five children of Deog and late Lenilla Alva. For primary education, Santhan was sent by his parents to the nearby Government school in Padubelle up to 5th standard. As the school did not have higher primary section, he had to attend the Kunjaugiri School for 6th and 7th standards and for high school studies Santhan had to proceed to St. Lawrence High School, Moodubelle. Being born in a family of agriculturists, Santhan had to finish some of the basic agricultural chores and walk a distance of nearly five kilometres to the school. Even after returning from school, he had to help his father in other domestic activities.

Unfortunately, while was just fifteen years old and in the 10th standard, his mother expired. Being the eldest in the family, Santhan along with his father had to bear the responsibility of bringing up his siblings-two brothers and two sisters and also carry on the cultivation of the family land. Santhan, who was quite keen in acquiring higher education after SSLC found it very difficult to attend the school and also carry on his responsibilities at home. Meanwhile, Fr. VGF Rego, who was the Headmaster of St. Lawrence High School, realising the difficulties that Santhan faced and being aware of his thirst for education permitted him to study at home and attend the high school whenever he could. in spite of these difficulties, Santhan passed the SSLC examination in 1971.

Like any other youngster of his age, Santhan decided to move to Mumbai for a job and if possible to continue his education. Fortunately he acquired a job in 1971 at the Touche Sizzlers Restaurant at Breach Candy in Mumbai. As his basic need for a job fulfilled, Santhan decided to pursue his education and joined the First Year BCom class in the Anjuman Islam College of Arts and Commerce near Grant Road.

Meanwhile, Santhan was transferred to the Touche Sizzlers’ outlet in Pune. In spite of moveing to a new city, Santhan did not give up his efforts to continue his education and joined the Pune College at Swargate. However, Santhan found it difficult to manage his job and continue education in Pune and thus moved back to Mumbai and joined the newly opened Oberoi Hotel at Nariman Point, Mumbai.

!970s was the decade when many young and enterprising men began to explore the possibility of making their way to the Gulf countries for better prospects. In 1975, Santhan too joined this brigade of young men, went to Kuwait and joined the Caesar’s Chain of Restaurants where he worked for 13 years until 1988 gradually rising to become the Branch Manager of one of the restaurants of the Chain of Caesar’s Reastaurants. While working in Caesars, Santhan also acquired necessary training and completed the Certified Food and Beverages Examination (CFBE) conducted by the American Hotel and Motel Association (AHMA).

Armed with a lot of experience, especially in Touche Sizzlers, dreams in his eyes and determination to make it big in the land of opportunities, Santhan came to Dubai in 1988. As he had an enterprising streak and experience in restaurant industry, Santhan opened an restaurant in Bur Dubai named ‘Ginnys’ with financial partnership with an India. Along with other types of cousin, ‘Ginnys’ became quite famous for the Touche Sizzlers, the art that Santhan had learnt while working in Mumbai and perfected while working in the Caesars in Kuwait.

After three years of running ‘Ginnys’ Restaurant, Santhan left the partnership and started another outlet named ‘Pumpys’ which he successfully managed for 12 years as its managing partner. As Santhan had an ambition to have his own restaurant with sole proprietorship, he ventured to start ‘Winnys’ in 2004 and still runs the restaurant. Two years later, in 2006, along with one of his friends as partner, Santhan opened another outlet named ‘Golden Chariot’ which is managed by his friend.

At ‘Winnys’, besides the restaurant, Santhan also runs a confectionary and has a huge place on the first floor where he has provision for a kitchen and a hall with a seating capacity for hundred persons where most of the Mangalorean Associations hold their meetings and functions.

Winnys is a multi-cuisine restaurant. However, the speciality of this outlet is ‘Touche Sizzlers’. Touche is an Oriental style of sizzler, especially famous in Japan served in cast iron oval plate with square wooden base. Santhan also takes up outdoor catering and provides snacks and food to various schools and institutions.

Santhan, being eldest in the family has been quite supportive of his family. In the initial stages of his career in Mumbai and Kuwait, he had to struggle and with his meagre income had to support the education of his siblings and extend a helping hand to support two of the extended families when the bread winners of these families expired when their children were quite young. Santhan expressed his happiness that all his siblings and relatives have been educated and are now well off. His next brother-Robert lives in Dubia with his family; sister Apoline, who is a teacher is married to Sylvester Mathias, who is also a teacher in the Church Higher Primary School; Juliana is in Mumbai with her family and the last brother-Valerian is an engineer who is in Dubai.

In 1985, Santhan married Veronica from Kanajar and have two children-son, Sohan and daughter, Ashley Lenilla. Sohan has completed Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani in the Dubai Academic City. Presntly, he is pursuing MBA Course from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal also in the Academic City, Dubai. Santha’s daughter, Ashly Lenilla finished her 12th standard this year and wants to study further in BITS taking up Electronics and Instrumentation course.

Though Santhan’s wife, Veronica was quite keen to have a career of her own right from the beginning, on the advice of Santhan she delayed her decision. Meanwhile, as the children grew up, Veronica started self employment by acquiring and distributing various accessories. Later, she joined Alliance Insurance in Dubai and became quite successful in her careers. Within two years of joining Alliance Insurance, Veronica became an officer and thereafter continuously qualified for Million Dollar Round Table Conference (MDRT) at various places in the United States. Santhan is quite proud of his wife’s achievements.

With pleasant and friendly disposition, Santhan has been quite active in the social and cultural field. He was the founder president of the Pamboor Welfare Association that was founded in 2000. He has been a strong supporter of Konkani organisations and associations of different parishes in Dubai including Bellevision.

Looking back at his life right from his child hood, Santhan still remembers those difficult days that he had to pass through following the untimely death of his mother when he was too young to bear the loss. He feels that his struggles in life has made him sensitive to the sufferings and needs of the disadvantaged. He treats his staff in Winnys as an extended family and has full faith in their integrity and dedication. His commitment towards his staff members is being reciprocated by them as well who are committed to their work. Santhan extended financial support to one of his Philippine staff when a powerful cyclone had destroyed her house.