AGELESS SIVADAS!
"Oh ho!
It’s only this year that I have not got the ‘Star of the Month’
award" says A R Sivadas, who is
presently working at the International
Convention Centre as the "Back Area In Charge". Ever since he
joined Le Meridian Kochi in 2000, he
has been given the ‘Star of the Month’ award with unabated regularity.
Importantly he celebrated his 67th birthday on the 20th of October this year.
It was in 1969 that he started his life in the hospitality industry - as a pantry man at the Volga Hotel, Kochi. His next stop was the Malaya Restaurant in Kochi owned and operated by a Chinese national. This restaurant was instrumental in introducing Chinese food in Kochi as well as in Kerala. He worked there for 21 years and rose to become an Assistant Manager. After that he joined the Alapat Residency Hotel as a Manager. The role of a Catering Manager in a catering company was his next stop….and finally since 2000 onwards he has been with the Le Meridien, Kochi.
Age is just a number for Sivadas. He involves in a big way. In the annual day celebrations for the staff he will enthusiastically don roles from the Kathakali and Theyyam – both the traditional art forms of Kerala. Apart from his said job description he can take care of the cutlery and crockery at the same time. He can also make herbal teas, a variety of pickles and even mock tails and welcome drinks.
Other than his mother tongue Malayalam he can speak in English, Hindi and Tamil. In 2008 he retired from his service but Le Meridien Kochi beckoned him back to start his second innings. He joined them back with more cheer and vigour.
Married to Anasooya, he is blessed with a son, a daughter and four grandchildren. Sivadas is a very sincere and hardworking person. No wonder he has received the ‘Star of the Month’ award every year.
But what I liked the most about Sivadas is his gratitude towards his mother. His father passed away when he was just one month old. His mother was his only inspiration throughout his life. Such is his gratitude for his mother that every day he gives her a bath and washes her clothes before coming to work. Only then does he proceed to the Le Meridien Kochi - his second home.
It was in 1969 that he started his life in the hospitality industry - as a pantry man at the Volga Hotel, Kochi. His next stop was the Malaya Restaurant in Kochi owned and operated by a Chinese national. This restaurant was instrumental in introducing Chinese food in Kochi as well as in Kerala. He worked there for 21 years and rose to become an Assistant Manager. After that he joined the Alapat Residency Hotel as a Manager. The role of a Catering Manager in a catering company was his next stop….and finally since 2000 onwards he has been with the Le Meridien, Kochi.
Age is just a number for Sivadas. He involves in a big way. In the annual day celebrations for the staff he will enthusiastically don roles from the Kathakali and Theyyam – both the traditional art forms of Kerala. Apart from his said job description he can take care of the cutlery and crockery at the same time. He can also make herbal teas, a variety of pickles and even mock tails and welcome drinks.
Other than his mother tongue Malayalam he can speak in English, Hindi and Tamil. In 2008 he retired from his service but Le Meridien Kochi beckoned him back to start his second innings. He joined them back with more cheer and vigour.
Married to Anasooya, he is blessed with a son, a daughter and four grandchildren. Sivadas is a very sincere and hardworking person. No wonder he has received the ‘Star of the Month’ award every year.
But what I liked the most about Sivadas is his gratitude towards his mother. His father passed away when he was just one month old. His mother was his only inspiration throughout his life. Such is his gratitude for his mother that every day he gives her a bath and washes her clothes before coming to work. Only then does he proceed to the Le Meridien Kochi - his second home.
By the
way, his mother is 97 years old.
Text and Pictures: R Kesava Mallia in Kochi.
Text and Pictures: R Kesava Mallia in Kochi.
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