Is that when you took up a job at the Taj Mahal Hotel to wait tables?
I think becoming a waiter was a great experience. I did a Polytechnique Diploma Course for six months before taking on the job. I went to the Taj looking for a job. I went to the resident manager’s office. He asked me what I want to do and I said F&B. He said, “The whole bloody hotel is F&B. What do you want to do?” I said I want to work at the Rendezvous, which was the French restaurant at the top of the hotel. He said, “Oh, you want to work at the top, huh? Smart guy! You start with room service!” I started my career as room service guy, going from room to room with a tray. I can still do it with the same flair. I realised I could stand on my own two feet. But you did take over the ‘galla’ at your wafer shop after that, didn’t you? My mum had met with an accident. There was no one to take over the work. I was this Young Turk who wanted to make a difference. I sat at that shop and later, got married. I was 25 then. By 32, I had two boys. I was doing my bit at the shop every day. Recen
