“Some lessons in life don’t just come from books. They come from people.

That simple truth is the foundation of my two-decade journey in hospitality. Every guest I’ve served, every student I’ve mentored, and every colleague I’ve worked with has taught me what it truly means to care for others.
I grew up in a modest home in West Bengal. My father, who worked at the Durgapur Steel Plant, often told me: ‘Whatever you do, do it with sincerity.’ Those words have stayed with me all my life.

I came to Mumbai in 2004 to pursue my training. I worked a day job at a restaurant in Juhu and attended evening classes in Colaba. I never missed a session, thanks to my boss, Mr. Gaurav Surana, who always encouraged me to keep learning. It was a proud year—I was even featured as ‘Student of the Month’ in a magazine. I remember showing it to my mother, but she passed away the next month before she could see where life would take me. That moment taught me to express love and gratitude while we can.

Before hospitality, I played district-level cricket, which instilled in me teamwork, discipline, and the importance of showing up. I started as a trainee waiter at Daspalla Hotel and eventually worked my way up to head manager, and then served as General Manager for nearly ten years at The Class Hospitality.

I focused entirely on genuine guest relationships. One guest, Prof. Cyrus M. Gonda, was so impacted he even mentioned me in his book, Seal the Hole in the Bucket!

In 2021, I moved to Hyderabad to begin my next chapter: becoming a teacher. Today, I train students across India, passing on the wealth of knowledge I gained on the floor.

In 2024, I published my first e-book, Service with Smile, capturing lessons from team management to guest service—my way of giving back to the industry that gave me so much.

Looking back, it is the people—my mentors, colleagues, students, and especially the guests—who have shaped this journey more than anything else. That, ultimately, is what makes hospitality so rewarding.”