Indian Hospitality Industry 11

 

First time I heard his name was in ITDC Head Quarters in my boss Ms.Psyche Nigam’s office where she was discussing with GM Hotels and preparing a list of top ten ITDC Executives,. His name was on number one slot followed by other outstanding executives of ITDC at that time. My interest in this list was because my name was number ten and I was only a Assistant Manager. I asked Ms. Nigam who is this Anil Bhandari?, she said, “He is one of the finest Operations Manager developed by our management team and he is coming back from abroad after two years training.” Thereafter for next forty five years I was exposed to his excellence and administrative capabilities, I guess I was fortunate. He was always a helping his colleagues. He was technically competent and a thorough professional, who was an inspiration to most of us. Starting his career as a management trainee, he not only became MD of Hotel Corporation owned by Air India, but also the first Hotelier to become Chairman& Managing Director of ITDC.

 There is a long train of memories which safely rests in the inner most chamber of my heart, of  the time I  spent with him- I could write a book. Nonetheless, I would like to tell the world that the real Anil Bhandari was a charmingly great personality, most humble and caring. First time I came in close contact with him was, when he took over as GM of very prestigious Hyderabad House. He used to visit the Head office quite often and would take time out to for a little informal chat with all of us. I could make out that he developed some sort of affinity for me. Then one day he told my boss that he plans to take a holiday for a few weeks and that, he would like me to look after the operation of Hyderabad House- mind you, I was only Assistant Manager then. I was fortunate to work in this tough location. He would visit often and spend long hours discussing his style of planning and other managerial technics. As luck would have it, for months together I was there extremely busy trying to match his level of his excellence and my hard work paid off- there was not a single complaint during that duration; for which he generously rewarded me with an outstanding appraisal. He remembered me and when he was planning to open The Kanishka Hotel he wanted me as Director F&B, unfortunately by that time I was looking after Calcutta Airport Restaurant and Flight Kitchen as Manager.

 He followed my career and always gave me right and timely advice - he was always proud of my achievements. After I left Vijay Mallya’s Pizza King Chain, I approached him for a job; he was then The Managing Director, Hotel Corporation of India. He straight away offered me a job as GM Centaur – Juhu, Mumbai. I was spoiled by him so much, that I turned down the offer and asked for posting to Centaur, Srinagar. He smiled and said OK and then he transferred the GM from there to accommodate me. But he also informed me that the Hotel was in a really bad condition and that I will have to work very hard. I did work hard and did not give him a chance to regret his decision, on contrary I became his favorite GM. Then after three years he transferred me to Hotel Centaur, Delhi, although he was under pressure not to do so by the Minister. Thanks to his support, I became the most successful GM in the history of the company.

 As a professional he had great regards for hard working staff and executives. He had great ability to carry his team with him, along with his bosses and at every step he established himself as a considerate boss, a perfect colleague and a real team player in every sense.

 After leaving ITDC he Joined ITC as MD Travel House and worked there for over ten years. Thereafter he got involved in assisting and developing hotels and helping international chains to set up their businesses in India.

 Anil Bhandari was always a family man. Married to Pamela who was  Income tax Commissioner, he had two lovely kids, daughter and a son both well qualified and well settled. He was indeed a proud father in every sense of the term.

 Finally, I would like to put on record that in Seventies, Eighties and Nineties, the ITDC produced some of the finest hospitality professional in the country. Despite limited opportunities - which existed then because of Government restrictions - the professionals like Anil Bhandari, Ms.Psyche Nigam, P.B.Mathur, K.B.Kachru, Cecil Samuel, Ram Gupta made it big and were outstanding.

 Anil Bhandari was unique because he made it big while working in government because of his meticulous planning skills and sheer hard work. He was always a ‘Complete Hotelier’. I am proud of the fact that I had the opportunity to know him and work with him for good number of years.

 My last salute to my dear friend - RIP God bless you Sir - Always...!

Written by Virat Varma & Anil Chak