Hoteliers to pay tribute to Taj, Oberoi bravehearts

Mewati Sitaram

DNA, Tuesday, December 16, 2008  03:27 IST

 ‘The customer is king’. The staff of Taj Mahal Hotel and Oberoi Hotel didn’t forget this marketing rule even when the gun-totting terrorists wreaked havoc. The employees of both hotels went beyond their call of duty to save their guests during the terror attacks.

Hence to pay tribute to all the bravehearts, the hoteliers and restaurateurs have organised a solidarity and remembrance meet called the Hoteliers Oppose Senseless Terrorism (HOST) on Wednesday. Organised by prominent personalities from the hospitality industry, including chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Len D’costa, Shashidhar, Snehal Kulshreshtha, G Raghubalan, Dominic Costabir, MS Ram and several others, the meet will be held from 4 pm to 6 pm at Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Shivaji Park.

“The aim is to have a neutral platform where people can share their views for a common cause. The recent terrorist attacks on Mumbai have left everybody shaken — and stirred,” said Rajkumar Saxena, principal, IHM, Mumbai.

S Shashidhar, head food business, Citymax Hotels and one of the convener, said, “The terrorists have not just attacked Mumbai, they have attacked India. They have killed our guests, our friends and colleagues. This is our way to pay tribute to them.”

Shashidhar said that they also planned to start a scholarship fund. “Children of personnel working for the security forces (NSG, police, Fire Brigade, etc), that were directly involved in the operations, will be offered free education at IHM,” he said.