FROM THE WESTIN GURGAON NEW DELHI

HUMANE HERO

One more award. This time, the award sat softly the shoulders of The Westin Gurgaon New Delhi. Yes, it is because of the team work and synergy; the award goes to everyone working in this hotel.

Winner of World Luxury Hotel Award. These Awards are accepted as the pinnacle of achievements for Luxury Hotels & Spas worldwide. These Awards were established as a celebration of ultimate achievement in service excellence. It is about rewarding and congratulating Hotels & Spas that have excelled beyond the normal call of duty.

Behind the award winning team there is a leader, who also happens to be the Hero of this hotel. And that is Sanjay Sharma. The leader at The Westin Gurgaon New Delhi. He has already appeared twice in my blog. This is the third time. Perhaps, the only hotel employee who is appearing for the third time.

Now, let us speak about the Hero of The Westin Gurgaon New Delhi.

This time, I would like to speak about the humaneness of this hero.

It was in 2005. He was the GM of Le Meridien Kochi in Kerala. I was meeting him for the first time. In the first meeting itself he spoke to me about his servant maid, Santha, a Keralite.  He spoke so high of her inimitable qualities.

"Santha is part of our family. She is not at all treated as a servant. She has been given a bath attached room; there is a fan, TV set, wardrobe, bed.... everything we have, She also has been provided with the same" quipped Sanjay Sharma, nine years back.

Year 2007. Sanjay Sharma was blessed with a son. One more person was added to the family. Santha continued happily with the family. Here the story takes a jump. Year 2009. Sanjay Sharma takes charge as the complex GM of two hotels-The Westin Gurgaon, as well as Westin Shona. Shifted from Kerala to Gurgaon. Santha readily agreed to travel with the family to Gurgaon. Santha continues happily with the family even today.

Every year, twice, she will visit her home in Kerala. She will fly to Kochi. Sanjay Sharma wants her to fly.

Interesting is the story how Sanjay treats his driver Jagmohan. He gifted his Driver, a Bike (Royal Enfield 500) so that the driver can reach his home in Delhi without delay after dropping him at home in Gurgaon. Sanjay lives in Gurgaon. Every day, Driver Jagmohan will have dinner with Sanjay. In the same table. They will share the same food, cooked by Santha. Remember: Santha is a gifted cook. One day, Sanjay learnt that Jagmohan's son studies very well in school; scores good marks. Believe it or not, Sanjay made it a point to help his driver's son financially. Has opened a Bank Account in the driver's son's name. A fat amount has already been deposited also.

"What is the difference between his son and my son? Once Sanjay Sharma had told me while explaining the goodness of his driver.

Now, would you like to know how his humaneness has reflected at work place, that is at The Westin Gurgaon New Delhi/ Westin Sohna?

Sample this. Interesting indeed. He has instructed the F&B team that any family visiting the restaurants of his hotels will be denied service, in case if they ask their servant maid to sit in a separate table. His message is very clear: in case, if you are coming with your servant to the restaurant, treat her as a family member.

Amazing isn't it?

May God bless Sanjay Sharma and his family (Santha and Driver Jagmohan also included) in abundance. I do wish him Good luck and Godspeed.

R KESAVA MALLIA in Hyderabad