THEY ALSO SERVE........3

DEVOTED TO JESUS, ALSO TO THE GUESTS

Ravikumar(20) always insists that he need the weekly off only on Sunday. Please do not misunderstand him. He is neither arrogant nor he has an entitlement attitude. The reason: He has to attend the mass in the Church at his native place along with his family members without fail.

 This room attendant who belongs to the Housekeeping Department at ITC Windsor, Bengaluru connects with the divine power with unabated regularity; likewise, with the same energy and enthusiasm he serves the ITC guests.

“Prayer gives me all the strength that I need “ says Ravikumar, a speech and hearing impaired person.

Ravikumar is being groomed presently by Mahadevaswamy, a senior Houseman, whose association with the ITC Windsor, Bengaluru, is twelve year old. Ravi joined this hotel in 2012.

Ravi’s two siblings can speak/hear. So too his parents. He is constantly in touch with his family at Tumkar, which is 50 kms from the ITC Windsor, Bengaluru. Being SSLC passed and an English medium student, he is very good at sending SMSes. Mobile phone connects him with the family. Every weekend  he will travel to his home at Tumkur where his family lives.

“I can understands his limitations very well. If he has to talk to his family members, he will approach me” says his mentor Mahadevaswamy, whose family lives in Mysore. Every weekend  Mahadeva also will travel to Mysore- three hour journey by bus. Mahadeva is married and blessed with two children. His mother also lives with him.

“I do have excellent relationship with Ravi’s family members. What impresses me in Ravikumar is his hardworking nature; secondly, his humbleness to check with me when he has a doubt at work; when he is doubtful at work, he will crosscheck with me- it can be guest complaint or liaising with Lost and found section” quips Mahadevaswamy.

R Kesava Mallia in Bengaluru