Blessed Butler 

Oct 23, 2021 

I was at ITC Kohenur, at Hyderabad for lunch.My daughter, one of my students and his family were with me. We enjoyed our lunch. It was a memorable experience for us.Very uplifting and elevating.One young guest service associate from Bihar, was serving us. I was impressed by his attention to details as well as his thoughtfulness. I do have a habit of gifting pens, key chains etc. to hotel employees, wherever I stay. I would normally gift either a key chain or a pen to a person. Astonishingly, my soul was so moved by the stunningly spectacularly service of this young steward, that I gifted him extra key chains on that day to be given to his family members also. The reason being his humility and service finesse. I also blessed him from the bottom of my heart that day. 

Now, my ITC Kohenur story, takes a jump. Read on ....

30 March 2023

I was staying in this hotel in connection with my lecture engagements.I checked in to the hotel at 7AM. After an hour, I reached the Golkonda Pavilion-the hotel's coffee shop located at the lobby level. After finishing my breakfast, I invited the superstars of this restaurant for a pic to be posted on my Instagram. Soon thereafter, a young butler came and met me. “ Sir, I am Ansari. You had blessed me in 2021. You had written an appreciation mail also; I still remember ”.  

God’s ways are incredibly mysterious.The steward who had served me in 2021, is a butler of this hotel today.After passing out from IHM Hyderabad, Mohammed Tauqueer Ansari (22) joined ITC Kohenur as a Guest Service Associate in July 2021.In just eight months he proved his mettle and was honoured to join the butler team of this iconic hotel. The prestigious Annual Award “ Welcom Achiever 2022” sat softly on his shoulders. He lapped up two HOD appreciation notes too. One from front office HOD; the other from his own HOD. Ansari got yet another appreciation card from the Restaurant Manager as well. 

“Ansari is a quick learner” says Chetan Mehra, Butler Manager, “ also, very mature for his young age. He is one of the perfectly competent butlers I have ever met". Chetan Mehra is right. I too agree with him. Yesterday, my requests bounced to Ansari were fulfilled flawlessly. The Ganesha idol, which I always carry with me, was polished and extra flowers were offered to the idol by Ansari.A copy of the Conde’ Nast Traveller was promptly placed. Salted peanuts were placed in my room. My meal period orders were noted proactively; he even liaised on my behalf for my dinner requirements. He made me feel so special. "

“A butler has to remember the preferences of the guests. He must be successful in transforming the guest experiences into memories.” says Ansari.This outstanding, exceptionally professional butler is very spiritual too. Five times Namaz on a daily basis is the most important thing for him. May Allah be with Ansari always. 

His Mom, brother and sister (both younger to him) live in Bihar. His father is a textile designer and works and lives in Mumbai. 

Myself with Ansari and the other butlers at ITC Kohenur

Text and pics by R.Kesava Mallia at Hyderabad.