FROM THE REDFOX, HYDERABAD

                                PIOUS PRAKASH

"I think, we will be able to repeat this in 2017 also" a confident Eleazar Prakash (36) volleyed his opinion with glee and humility. When I looked into the eyes of Abhijeet Ausekar who was sitting beside Prakash at the Citrus Cafe Restaurant, at Lemon Tree Premier Hyderabad, he also quipped in agreement that this could happen again.

Now, Prakash is the winner of the ‘Hotelier Award of 2016’.Incidentally, Abhijeet was the winner of the same award the previous year.

Remember, my blog on Redfox Hyderabad crossing 100 days of 100 per cent occupancy?  Prakash got recognised in the 8th edition of the ‘Hotelier India Award’ on December 13, 2016. He was awarded for his superb efforts in achieving this unprecedented feat. Perhaps the first of its kind –that the Indian Hospitality Industry has ever heard about. By the way, the Hotelier India Awards are something the Indian Hotel Industry talks about the most.

"Hard work, Team Work and Passion …these three things helped us in achieving this abnormal business accomplishment" says Prakash when I asked him how it was possible to have 100 per cent occupancy for 100 days on the trot.

Though Prakash was in the Sales arena since 2009, it was only in 2014 that he joined the Lemon Tree Hotels as Deputy Sales Manager. Remember in this tenure of three years, he managed to secure enormous business for Redfox as well as other regional hotels. No wonder, Redfox Hyderabad achieved the distinction of being sold out for 107 days consecutively.

"We have", informs Abhijeet Ausekar, Director of Sales, Hyderabad Region, “already started doing homework for the next year. May to August 2017 is the period we are looking forward to".

Prakash is a preacher too. He gives sermons in the Ameerpet Chapter of "Jehova's witnesses" a world-wide Christian Organisation. His lecture engagement is a weekly affair there. Very pious Prakash is.

Spending time with his family members is his main hobby, especially with his six year old daughter Persis Vydurya. Rajamundry born Prakash is married to Sireesha.

Come 2018, Limca Book of Records will be informing the whole world about the achievement made by Redfox Hyderabad - That is 100 per cent occupancy for 107 days, in 2016.

I wish Prakash the very best - may he break the record of 2016 – and reset and raise the bar for the hotel industry yet again.

Text and Pictures by R Kesava Mallia in Hyderabad