Grand Hotel

While completing my graduation I found employment as an apprentice with the oldest and most posh hotel of Calcutta- The Oberoi Grand. Well, to say the least, the ambience of the hotel bewildered me. The magnificent Reception counters were made of mahogany, the Ball Room had sparkling glass doors with shining brass door knobs, the Conference Rooms were aptly titled “Burdwan” and “Coochbehar”,wall-to-wall carpeting, the commissionaires in their splendid turbans, bushy moustaches and spotless white uniforms, all these fairly swept me off my feet.

There were also pretty lasses called “housekeepers” who maintained cleanliness and perfect upkeep of the guests’ rooms.

Like all other gents of my age I thought of myself as the handsomest man around. One day, as it transpired, a certain Ms. Meena and I found ourselves alone in the elevator. To break the awkward silence she asked me, “Are you from the catering college?” “No,” I replied, “I’m from Ananda Mohan College.”

Well, as you may have already guessed, this incident brought to an abrupt end any romantic ideas I may have secretly nurtured.