J.P. Nair felicitating Chief Guest Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd
The first-ever Asian Housekeeping Awards created history in the hospitality housekeeping segment, raising the confidence and importance of a profession which is yet to receive its due place.
The nine shortlisted contestants from the applications received went through rounds of grilling by the jury who tested them for their knowledge skills and did not stop short of testing their patience too. Five of the finalists faced the final round of jury quizzing on the stage amid an audience of 320 professionals. The audience too made their contribution by casting their vote for the Best Housekeeper.
[box type=”shadow” ]Winners
Pamini Hemaprabha: I am short of words to express this moment. I thank the Jury for considering me as appropriate, as Akshi and Ayush and others were equally competent. This award also goes to my team as they have worked with me and made me work as a great leader. I can assure you that this is just the beginning. As expected by the jury, we will create some real talent within the housekeeping. Today, housekeeping is at a revolutionary phase. We will create a massive difference in this industry and all for good. We are seeking more such applauds in future and I am very excited.
Akshi Singh: Competing for this award was so different. I have attended so many awards, this was something absolutely different. We got something to learn from the jury. It is a proud moment. I thank my team, general manager and my parents. I am so-so happy today.
Ayush Agarwal:
The feeling that I have right now is making me completely speechless. We had such a good talent competing and all the participants had very high experience. Thank you so much jury. I would like to thanks my parents, my team and my would-be wife, more than me she had the trust I will get something or the other.
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Best Housekeeper in Asia Pamini Hemaprabha, First Runner Up Akshi Singh, and Second Runner Up Ayush Agarwal emerged as winners of the first Asian Housekeeping Awards.
Maintaining the world’s most expensive and luxurious Hotel Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi, for the last few years, Pamini Hemprabha, has a vast experience behind her. She is a qualified trainer, good speaker and has been part of many pre-opening of hotels. She is also the Vice- President of the UAE Housekeepers’ Association.
Akshi Singh joined as Housekeeper in 2008 at Crowne Plaza Kuwait. Today, she is managing multiple brands under the IHG umbrella as a Cluster Director and is looking after Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and so on.
Ayush Agarwal, the only male contestant making it to the finals, is young and energetic. Following his stint in Lemon tree Hotel, he is the Director Rooms at Oyo. He heads the GenX wing of IPHA and is very optimist of bringing about change in the housekeeping fraternity.
The jury played a commendable role in the formulation and execution of the Award criteria and selection process. The jury instrumental in giving an unbiased shape to the Awarding process were Shakti Singh Chauhan, Country Head-IFM, Reliance Retail Ltd; Anita Rodrigues, Vice-President- Housekeeping, Inox Leisure Ltd and Ralph Sunil-Administration & CSR, Essar Steel India Ltd. Clean India Journal extends gratitude to their selfless work and contribution to the
Speaking to Clean India Journal, following the award ceremony, Ralph Sunil said, “We really had our fingers crossed and did not know who is going to win because the competition was so tuff, and at the end it was so close that the nominees won by a small margin. They were truly deserving winners to receive this Best Housekeeper Awards. I congratulate all three of them. The best thing was that we learnt from them and they learnt from us and it was a great experience. We enjoyed the whole experience.”
Expressing his views, Anil Sethi, Managing Director, Manmachine Works Pvt. Ltd, said, “The Best Housekeeper in Asia Award will surely make a big difference and I am sure these three winners will replace better housekeepers in the next awards. They are really very responsible and are the mascot for being the first award winner. I am sure they will do justice to the title they have earned.”
Adding, Makarand Kulkarni, Global Head-Administration, Crompton Greaves, said, “They have torched the light now they have to pass on the baton to the next generation and they have to create a new fraternity for their fraternity.”
