FROM WESTIN GURGAON NEW DELHI…..THEY ALSO SERVE……12

PASSIONATE  PARMANAND

                                       

"Most difficult thing in this world is managing people; many people do not understand this. After joining this hotel, I learnt how to co-operate and co-ordinate with people around me. Being a big business hotel, we are totally 34 chauffeurs in this hotel. Adjusting, adapting and accommodating with people is not an easy thing. It requires a different mindset" replies Parmanand (40) when asked about his biggest learning after joining The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi, the flagship hotel of Westin in India.

Bihar born Parmanand was born in a poor family. His father has been a poor farmer. After stealing thirty rupees from the pocket of his brother, Parmanand ran away from his home. The providence made him land in Delhi... This was in 1987...  He was just thirteen years old....Destiny made him face the hard realities of life… Thankfully he got a job in a small tea shop as a runner boy…he worked as a servant in a home...tried his luck in a garage...nursed the souls as a hospital helper boy...became a lorry driver...elevated as a car driver... Became a chauffeur for a renowned lawyer, then later for an Industrialist and finally, the meeting with Guru in 2004 transformed  his life completely.....most interestingly, he passed out 10th standard amongst all chaos, confusion and pain.

His guru had dropped his body at the age of 116, in 2011.

"Oh, what a fool I have been, actually I had met my Guru in 1984 itself, but it took me 20 years to get into his orbit" says Parmanand one of the most disciplined chauffeurs of this hotel. (I am not surprised at all… There are many a fools in this world like Paramanad who have failed to realise their gurus. The real Gurus are silent, they do not Show off).

Disclosing on his happiness at work, he answered:"when the guests express their feedback, that too in writing, that makes me most happy".

"The guests are so friendly, they respect us, most of them give tips also; the staff members are very co-operative- Prabhat, Gaurav Chauhan and Rohit are very supportive; Anoop Pandeyji (Front Office Manager) is always ready to help the chauffeur team".

Latha Pandey (Asst Front Office Manager) says: "Chauffer Parmnand has been working with us for two years now and he is very committed and dedicated towards his work. He understands personalization and recognizes frequent guests. Tries to provide the guests a memorable experience by remembering their likes, dislikes. He acts as a very good guide when he takes the foreigner guests on the local sightseeing and does everything to ensure they feel comfortable in a foreign land. These are few qualities that set him apart from others who don't enjoy doing their work unlike Parmanand who really enjoys his job every single day.

Overall he is an excellent and committed associate”.

On 10 Oct 2014, I had planned to honor Parmanadji with a humble Diwali gift from my side at the end of my Workshop where the Westin Gurgaon staff members were attending. The Workshop was on confronting the pain moments at work. Paramanand was supposed to attend; but he could not. Because he had to go to donate blood. An emergency situation. Parmanad knows the pain of others, as he had confronted the pain moments aplenty in life.

Incidentally Latha Pandey has been attending the Workshop. Ankur Verma, the Training Leader of this hotel beckoned Latha to come and accept the gift on behalf of Parmanand. Lata came, accepted the gift, and yesterday, she handed over the same to Parmanand in person.

God's ways are mysterious ....isn't it?

Text and Pics by R KESAVA MALLIA in Gurgaon