Angels from North East

              THE POSTER GIRL OF WESTIN MUMBAI

Time is 10pm. Hostess Tingcha is about to sign off; she had been wrapping up the day's work. Hectic day it was, for she had started the work at 8am. Remember: it was the last week of December 2011. Tingcha's second month as a hostess in the Westin Garden City, Mumbai.

"Hostess Trupti has fallen sick; so, tomorrow come early in the morning and take charge of the restaurant" came in the instructions from her Supervisor.

Next day, before the Sun was up, like a disciplined soldier Tingcha turned up to the Restaurant at 5.30am. She was there at the Seasonal Tastes, the coffee shop of this hotel.

For this prompt and proactive gesture, Tingcha was honoured with the "Care for Associate" award. First time, this Manipur girl, born in Rajasthan has been tasting the success. That was the beginning. From this point, Tingcha knew how to bite more than she can chew.

"Go full steam; Give your best shot" has been Tingcha's code of honour. Thereafter, this has been her strategy at work.

Obviously, as a result of this, she has been doing very well. Now, as a Hostess she had completed three months that was the time, a counter intuitive move by Sachin Mylavarapu (Director, Food & Beverage) worked wonders: "Go to PREGO, be a server".

From here, Tingcha never looked back. Today, Tingcha(24) is a Team Leader in PREGO, one of the most sought after restaurant in Mumbai.

"When I had joined Westin Mumbai in 2011", explains Tingcha, "I was the only girl from north East, in the entire hotel. Today, there are many".

Quips Sachin Mylavarapu, DIRECTOR, F&B, The Westin Mumbai Garden City, located in Goregaon, Mumbai: "Tingcha gives her best at work".

"I do miss my family. That is the only thing that bothers me. Otherwise everything is fine for me including food." Says Tingcha. Tingcha's parents are living in Shillong. She has two brothers and one elder sister.

Tingcha works in PREGO, An Italian restaurant. She also loves Italian food. On weekly off days she prefers to dine out at Spagetti Kitchen, an Italian restaurant in Malad,Mumbai.

A shopaholic Tingcha confesses: I do spend lot of money. Going forward I shall correct myself and save money month after month.

With this write up on Tingcha, one of the most guest centric, effective, efficacious NORTH EAST GIRLS, I have ever seen, I am starting a new series titled ANGELS FROM NORTH EAST. I do hereby dedicate this to all girls from NORTH East India, serving the hotel guests staying all over our country.

Let us mutually agree on one thing: Nevertheless the challenges around them, these girls from the North East India do contribute-collaborate-combine-connect. This tribe is known for their hard-working and commitment.

R.Kesava Mallia in Mumbai