2nd ASIAN HOUSEKEEPING AWARDS July 4, 2018

 

The 2nd Asian Housekeeping Awards were given away at a spectacular evening at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, on July 4, to the most able housekeepers who went through stringent tests and quizzing before being selected.

The Award night came alive with the 3rd Fashion Show on ‘Uniforms, a Corporate Fashion Statement’ as the students walked the ramp wearing uniforms designed by NVK Designs.

This was also a moment to felicitate those without whom the summit would never have been possible. Special awards were given to recognize some of the leaders in the industry who have provided exemplary service in their profession.

 

The 2nd Asian Housekeeping Awards were given away at a spectacular evening at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, on July 4, to the most able housekeepers who went through stringent tests and quizzing before being selected.

 

“This is a great occasion where we felicitate all these great people who work silently behind the scenes. Most people don’t understand what housekeeping is all about. You only come to know when you visit the hotel. Housekeeper is the most important personnel in the hotel. It was a very difficult task in selecting the winners. I congratulate the organising committee for putting up such a wonderful show. “

Asoka Wickremesinghe

The Award night came alive with the 3rd Fashion Show on ‘Uniforms, a Corporate Fashion Statement’ as the students walked the ramp wearing uniforms designed by NVK Designs.

This was also a moment to felicitate those without whom the summit would never have been possible. Special awards were given to recognize some of the leaders in the industry who have provided exemplary service in their profession.

The Chief Guest for the evening, Asoka Wickremesinghe – Chairman Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd, Sri Lanka and the Guest of Honour, Anmol Ahluwalia, General Manager-Taj Wellington Mews, Mumbai-India, commended the efforts of all who have endeavoured to make IHS2018 a success and organise the AHA Awards.

The nominees were grilled through the day by the esteemed jury panel Dr Shakti Singh Chauhan, Head – Facilities Management and Mall Operations, Reliance Retail Ltd together with Anita Rodrigues, Vice-President – Housekeeping, INOX Leisure Ltd. and Asoka Wickremasinghe. They did a thorough job of vetting the entries and interviewing the shortlisted candidates. The five Award finalists selected by the end of the day were invited on stage for the final round of questions coupled with an audience poll to select the winner.

With his honest answers and genuine passion for the profession, Nagarajan Sankar, Executive Housekeeper, The Residency Group of Hotels, India, took away the ‘Best Housekeeper of Asia’ award for 2018.

 

“The Asian Housekeeping Awards is a good initiative and the housekeepers should take advantage of this platform to put forth their best and get recognised. Housekeepers sending in their applications must spend time in drafting and forwarding concise and comprehensive information about themselves and which distinguishes them from the other. I am sure there are many who could have put in better entries. However, we expect the entries to increase in the next Awards and it is going to be another great experience.”

Anita Rodrigues

 


Speaking to Clean India Journal, about housekeeping and the future, Nagarajan said, “I am happy to get this award with the support of I-PHA. There is a traditional mindset that housekeeping is cleaning, but cleaning is only a part of housekeeping. In reality, housekeeping plays a major role in the rooms division, where 80% of the profitability comes from. It is a process-oriented department. Housekeepers are involved in 90% of all the activities in a hotel. They not only make their budget, but also do take on the role of purchase, HR, up keep of the maintenance and also security managers for the guest belongings. HK’s should be involved in finance and nonfinance training programme. If given a chance, we will become the CEO’s of the hotel.

“I thank I-Professional Housekeepers’ Association and Clean India Journal for giving me this opportunity.”

For the first time, the ‘Best Assistant Housekeeper’ award category was included and was won by J.A. Rohan Piyaratne, Assistant Housekeeper of Heritance Tea Factory in Sri Lanka. This called for loud cheers from the delegates of the hosting country. Rula Helmi Mershed Abo Gazi, Executive Housekeeper, Hurawalhi Island Resort, Maldives and Rajasekar Samithurai, Executive Housekeeper, Cidade de Goa, India were runners up for the ‘Best Housekeeper of Asia’ Award.

 

“It is a real privilege to be a part of this jury member and deciding the Asian Housekeeper Award. When you find three best people out of Asia-Pacific for a 24×7 working industry, it is an eye-opening experience when you get to learn new things, know new people, get to learn a profession which is doing such a work without any problem.

Asian Housekeeping Award is a very good platform – it is not just a recognition of the people but also their work. The enthusiasm has increased since the last two years. In the coming years, it is going to be the biggest award when it comes to recognising professionals.

I want to thank the VIS team and entire management committee for organising such a fabulous event and bringing this profession on a platform increasing their respect.”

Dr Shakti Singh Chauhan

 

 

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