‘Dilli’tali Marathi ‘Aapulki’

We Maharasthrians have been forever lamenting about the lack of any concrete Marathi presence in our Capital. Well, here is something heartening for all of us – Vijayanta Chitale, a Delhi-based ‘Marathi manus’, has successfully taken up the challenge of popularising Marathi cuisine, and promoting Marathi culture, amongst the Delhites. Vijayanta, a student of hotel management, on realising that most non-Maharashtrians have never experienced the delights of Marathi cuisine, spotted a business opportunity, in a market untapped as yet. Focusing on the concept of propagation of Marathi cuisine outside of Maharashtra, he employed his culinary skills to introduce and promote Marathi food in Delhi, through ‘Aapulki’, his enterprise, and today, 50% of his clientele is non-Maharashtrian. Not limiting himself to just the culinary aspects of Marathi culture, he reached out to the Marathi community in Delhi, realising their desire to connect themselves with each-other, and worked to keep the Marathi culture alive and flourishing in Delhi. If Aapulki has transcended the boundaries of a business venture, to become an active social and cultural platform, it is because of Vijayanta’s vision and sense of social commitment.
- Mukta Paranjape


Just click on the link below to read Vijayanta’s story –

http://www.loksatta.com/daily/20080802/ch11.htm
(Written by: Medha Kulkarni)