'Sharing happiness': Kerala hotel owner's biryani gift on Argentina's FIFA World Cup win

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, a hotel owner in Kerala had promised one thousand plates of biryani for free if Argentina wins the football World Cup. A die-hard fan of the South American team, Shibu, increased the number to fifteen hundred a day after the finale.

Shibu is the owner of Rockland hotel in Pallimoola area of Thrissur district. A day after finale, a huge crowd showed up at his hotel for a free plate of biryani and he decided to increase the number of free plates to 1500.

Long serpentine queue of people were seen outside his outlet on Monday with people from all walks of life, including school and college students, waiting outside his outlet since morning to get in. A Twitter user shared a picture of the outlet and wrote, "Was crossing Cheroor, Thrissur, today and noticed a looong queau (more than a kilometre probably). This hotel is serving free biriyani to 1000 people to celebrate Argentina's victory."

Speaking to reporters, he said, "I had not expected such a huge crowd so early in the day." When asked if he would be able to cater to them, Shibu responded, "I have increased the number of free biryanis by 500."

Congress MLA Shafi Parambil, who was also present there, told reporters that Argentine fans were waiting for this win for the last 36 years.

"The 36-year long wait is over. Our years of waiting for this moment was more than Messi's age. We were fans of Argentina when they lost and we were fans when they won. For us, it's a passion," he said.

Shibu too spoke along similar lines and said he was celebrating the end of an over three decade long wait by giving away the delicacies for free.

"I am sharing my happiness by giving away the free biryanis," he said. Those who sampled the fare praised the taste and said "it's awesome".