FROM THE ST. REGIS, MUMBAI

                          HUMANITY PERSONIFIED 

"She invited me to have dinner with her and we both shared the hospital food. That was my happiest moment in my hospitality career" said Ravindra the Chauffeur from St. Regis Mumbai while narrating how he helped a South African woman while he was working at Vivanta by Taj President last year.

The story goes like this…..

Three men and an elderly woman were travelling by his hotel car last year.  Suddenly the elderly lady fell sick – in fact she had mild heart attack!

Ravindra immediately sped his car towards the nearest hospital at Warden Road. He disregarded the traffic signal. The police tried to stop him but he kept on going. After a while the police patrol chased him down and intercepted his vehicle for jumping the signal and disrespecting the police. Ravindra didn’t waste any time explaining the gravity of the situation to the police. He simply handed over his licence to the patrol team and went straight ahead towards the hospital. Though he earned the wrath of the police he was able get the lady to the hospital on time. And guess what? By that night the woman had recovered completely. Had it not been for Ravindra’s timely help – things could have taken a very different turn. (This is the time the lady invited Ravindra to join her for dinner).

Ravindra picked me up from Mumbai Airport this Tuesday (June 14^th). While driving his Black S Class Mercedes he opened up to me. The fact that he hails from Telangana connected us instantly.

Life was not easy for him during his childhood. He left his native village in Nookapelly (100kms from Hyderabad) to work as a dishwasher in a roadside eatery at Hyderabad. His owner was pleased with his work and he gradually rose to become a steward there. After a while he got the chance to work in a road side eatery at Mumbai. His owner at Mumbai deputed him to wash his car every day as additional task. Ravindra’s association with the car led him to become a driver. ...and that was the turning point of his life. In 1998 he joined the Hyatt Regency at Mumbai following which he 

worked for all the Taj properties at Mumbai.

He joined St. Regis, Mumbai in February of this year.

Married to Paramjyothi he is blessed with a son, Rohith (5). His family lives with his parents at Nookapelly village in Telangana.

Says Srinivas, the Transport Supervisor of St. Regis: "Ravindra can interact with the guests very well; his knowledge on Mumbai city is commendable".

Yes, Ravindra is very friendly, caring and articulate, I really felt so.

My best wishes to Ravindra . I feel fortunate to have been driven by him.

Text and Pictures: R Kesava Mallia in Mumbai