M. S. Narayan - Guest is our God

Guest is our God

M. S. Narayan

This article is about an incident that happened to me. Many of you would have similar incidents that you would love to narrate.

This happened at the premier South Indian restaurant, Dakshin at the erstwhile ITC Park Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Chennai, now named Crowne Plaza!

Dakshin was at the end of a long walkway adjacent to the swimming pool. 

At around 23: 45 hours, standing beside the hostess desk, I groaned as I spotted 2 drunk men - affluent looking, mind you, wobbling their way towards the restaurant. It was almost closing time!

Closing at Dakshin meant that we would have to work for a good two to three hours. As our flatware being actually silver coated, the staff would examine, nay, scrutinize is a more apt word every single thali. Katori, serving bowls, pieces of cutlery and segregate items that needed plating the next day.

 ITC like it's other peers in the industry had numerous programs operating for its numerous guests. One such was the Welcomclub program, where the President of ITC himself / herself hand- picked possible recipients the offer to purchase a Welcomclub card.

So, when these two staggering Gents entered Dakshin at around 23:50 or so, I was mentally preparing to tell them that as Dakshin was closed now for the day, and to please satiate their hunger at our 24 hours Coffee Shop. Suddenly, one of the two from some corner whips out his leather wallet, opens it and draws out.....yes! You guessed it- a Welcomclub card belonging to one Shiv Nadar, boss of HCL = Hindustan Computers Ltd!

So, I put my mind / thoughts on a screeching reverse mode and escorted them both to a table next to our band!  Mr. Nadar beckoned me with his index finger and asked if I were the Manager of Dakshin. Upon my affirmative response, he made it clear to me that he wants a delectable South Indian 5 course meal - each course accompanied by a suitable wine.

Mr Nadar told me to take 10 minutes and come back to me with the menu and wine detail. When I shared the details, he made a change in the menu offering. He wanted to have Gulab Jamun - that, too, flambed at his table

His eventual bill for the above meal - at that time was a staggering Rs 1.25 lakh, a huge amount for those days.

Welcomclub meant total non- refusal to any reasonable guest request.

Guest is our God!

Nicky alias M. S. Narayan, batch of '83