THE REAL
“ANGEL”
So far, I have written on 28 girls from North
East India in my blog under the banner "Angels
from North East India". I have a lot of respect for these girls which
is why I had been penning their stories. I was disappointed though after
speaking with them. Most of them were not saving money; instead they were
spending away everything they were earning... Till I met Todar last week!
Read on...
Recently I had been to The Oberoi Cecil Shimla where I opted to go for a 90 minute Thai massage. That is when I met Todar Tontang (22), the Senior Therapist. She was well mannered and exceptionally professional. I was impressed by her humility and her ability to focus on her work. I was very glad that I had met a "real angel" from North East India. Todar is from Manipur.
"Every month" quips Todar, "I do send money to my family. I am also supporting my younger brother Khamba (20) who is studying in Chandigarh".
Listen to Todar, who is very grateful: "As a young girl, I was very shy but today I can communicate well with any guest. After coming to Shimla, I learnt Hindi, my English has also improved. This is my first job. Whatever I am today, it is because of Oberoi Cecil".
Recently I had been to The Oberoi Cecil Shimla where I opted to go for a 90 minute Thai massage. That is when I met Todar Tontang (22), the Senior Therapist. She was well mannered and exceptionally professional. I was impressed by her humility and her ability to focus on her work. I was very glad that I had met a "real angel" from North East India. Todar is from Manipur.
"Every month" quips Todar, "I do send money to my family. I am also supporting my younger brother Khamba (20) who is studying in Chandigarh".
Listen to Todar, who is very grateful: "As a young girl, I was very shy but today I can communicate well with any guest. After coming to Shimla, I learnt Hindi, my English has also improved. This is my first job. Whatever I am today, it is because of Oberoi Cecil".
Her dad is a Govt. employee in Manipur, Mom a home maker. Of the six siblings Todar is fourth. After passing Class 12th, she did a beauty therapy course in Noida, got selected through the campus selection and joined the Oberoi Cecil, Shimla in April 2012.
"Shimla is just like Manipur. Very safe for girls. Girls have been given accommodation in the annexe building which is just next to the hotel" says Todar.
One more thing that makes her an angel. In the hotel accommodation she cooks food for other girls too. "Cooking is my hobby. My roommates really like my food".
Luckily, her roommates (her team mates from the Spa) are living together. Interestingly they are all from the North East. Supervisor Atho is from Nagaland; Yayak and Anku are from Arunachal Pradesh. Sonam and Tshering hail from Bhutan.
I thank god for having met a talented Spa Therapist, who enjoys cooking food for her room mates. Plus she is humane; has the big heart to help her brother and family financially.
Good luck Todar. May God be with you always.
Text & Picture: R Kesava Mallia in Shimla
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