FROM THE ABAD COPPER CASTLE, MUNNAR, KERALA

                 ABAD SISTERS

One soul in two bodies. This is what I really felt when I met Sumathi and Mary yesterday (22 February 2017).

Both are working in the Housekeeping Department at Abad Copper Castle at Munnar, Kerala. (I had stayed in this fabulous hotel for around 21 hours that is when I met them).

Let me call them "Abad Sisters". 

Do you want to know why this name?

Read on...

Both joined on the same day in this hotel on 20 February 2008. Both are Tamilians. Both can speak very well in Malayalam but can't write or read the language. Both are blessed with two children each. Both were born in Munnar. They were in fact neighbours. Both studied in Munnar. Both have passed 8th standard. Both go to the same church... ...they are always together....they attend functions together, even for buying a saree, they go together.

At work too both are great contributors. Both are knowledgeable workers working freely and fearlessly. Surprisingly, both had joined Abad with the same purpose- to ensure good education for their children. Undoubtedly, both have not wasted even a single rupee earned from Abad. Both are deeply indebted to Rosamma - an ex-employee of this hotel, who had promptly tipped them on the vacancies at Abad Copper Castle, Munnar nine years back. 

Listen to Murugaraj the Deputy In Charge of Housekeeping. "They (Sumathi and Mary) are very committed to their work. Their dedication and commitment to work is to be seen to be believed. Both are eager to learn new things".

Murugaraj is the face of this hotel. Real load bearing pillar of Housekeeping department. Remember, he had been working in this property for the last 16 years.

Three years back, Sumathi shifted to her own home; till then they were neighbours. Mary has two sons- Densing (20) and Robin Singh (18) while Sumati is blessed with two daughters Suryabhanu (22) and Sugunabhanu (20). Mary's husband Patturaj is working in a shop in Munnar, Sumathi' husband Alagarsami is a government employee.

Abad Group of Hotels is really blessed to have these sisters on their payroll.

TEXT AND PICTURES: R KESAVA MALLIA IN MUNNAR