Life at RPH: From ‘Bappa Morya’ Festivals to International Industrial Visits

At Bunts Sangha’s Ramanath Payyade College of Hospitality Management Studies (RPH), education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. In fact, some of the most critical lessons in hospitality—teamwork, crisis management, and cultural sensitivity—are learned during the college’s vibrant festivals and global tours.

Life at RPH is a high-energy mix of tradition and modernity. One week you might be wearing a traditional kurta managing a community feast for thousands, and the next, you might be in a business suit touring a luxury hotel in Dubai or Singapore.

Here is a glimpse into the dynamic student life that makes RPH unique.

1. ‘Bappa Morya’: A Lesson in Event Management

In Mumbai, Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a festival; it’s an emotion. But at RPH College, it is also a massive Live Project. The college, backed by the Bunts Sangha community, celebrates the ‘Bappa Morya’ festival with incredible grandeur at the adjacent Buntara Bhavan.

For hospitality students, this is ground zero for learning Large Scale Catering & Operations.

The Challenge: Students aren’t just attendees; they are the organizers. They manage the logistics of crowd control, VIP guest handling, and food service for thousands of devotees.
The Skill: This teaches Volume Catering and Crisis Management better than any textbook. If you can handle the pressure of a Mumbai festival crowd with a smile, you can handle any hotel lobby in the world.

2. International Industrial Visits (IVs): Going Global

Hospitality is a global language, and RPH ensures you speak it fluently. The college organizes International Industrial Visits to global tourism hubs (typically destinations like Dubai, Thailand, or Singapore) to expose students to international standards of luxury.

Beyond Sightseeing: These aren’t vacations. Students visit international hotel chains to understand:
- Global housekeeping standards.
- Automated check-in technologies not yet common in India.
- Cross-cultural guest service protocols.
The Impact: Returning students often find their perspective shifted—they stop competing with their classmates and start competing with global standards.

3. Food Festivals & Theme Dinners

If the kitchen is a lab, then Theme Dinners are the exams. RPH is famous for hosting elaborate food festivals where the college transforms into a different world—be it a “Mexican Fiesta,” a “Goan Carnival,” or a “Royal Muglai Dao.”

Role Reversal: Third-year students often act as General Managers and Executive Chefs, while juniors assist them.
Profit & Loss: Students manage the budget, sell tickets, and aim to make a “profit” on the event, teaching them the financial side of the hotel business.

4. Sports & Competitions: The “Bunts” Spirit

Located in the Shashi Manmohan Shetty Higher Education Complex, RPH students have access to top-tier sports facilities.

Annual Sports Day: Cricket, football, and volleyball tournaments are fiercely competitive, fostering the physical stamina required for long hotel shifts.
Culinary Competitions: RPH frequently hosts inter-collegiate competitions (like the Vegan Super Chefchallenge), where students compete against peers from other top Mumbai colleges.

5. The “Buntara Bhavan” Advantage

Being part of the Bunts Sangha ecosystem gives RPH students a unique edge. The complex is a hub for high-profile weddings and corporate events.

ODC (Outdoor Catering) Opportunities: Students frequently get paid opportunities to work at these elite events right next door, earning pocket money while building their CVs.

Summary: The RPH Lifestyle Equation

Life at RPH is designed to build a complete professional.

Activity	Skill Learned
Festivals (Bappa Morya)	Crowd Mgmt, Volume Catering, Tradition
International IVs	Global Standards, Cultural Adaptability
Theme Dinners	Budgeting, Decor, Menu Planning
Sports/Gym	Physical Stamina, Team Spirit

Final Thoughts

RPH College proves that you don’t have to choose between having a fun college life and building a serious career. By blurring the lines between celebration and education, they ensure that when you finally step into the industry, you are ready for anything.