Leena Connected with me on Linkedin; she had shared a really beautiful , warm and encouraging message. We established an instant connect. I liked her journey so far and wanted to share her inspirational story with the readers here. Presenting to you Ms. Leena Gazmer, Image consultant, Coach and Trainer. She has had a successful aviation career spanning over two and a half decades. IWH in conversation with the graceful and truly inspirational Ms. Gazmer.
IWH: Tell us something about you, your growing up years, life through school, college etc.
Leena: I was born in the hilly town of Darjeeling(West Bengal)and grew up in Kolkata, studied in a strict convent school till the 12th standard at Our Lady Queen of the Missions School and later at St. Augustine’s School;so was taught from a young age how to be restrained in conduct and demeanor and Kolkata was pretty conservative then, still is in many ways. But I was a secret rebel and wanted to be more in life than just a well-manneredlady who studied art, literature or medicine. I did start college at St. Xavier’s Kolkata taking B.A.(Arts) but as destiny would have it, I happened to see in the newspaper that there would be an All-India entrance exam for Hotel Management studies at IHMCTAN way back in 1989,took that exam and got Mumbai as my study center. My family too moved with me as my father got a new job here. Coming to Mumbai initially was a culture shock to me as I came from a more conservative background. I was a quiet student but did receive lot of love from all my college instructors and peers. I made some good friends who I am still in touch with.
IWH: What made you select Hospitality as a career? Was it easy making that decision?
Leena: Choosing Hospitality as a career way back in the mid-nineties was a bold step for women who came from conservative family backgrounds or communities.I was warned by many older relatives that this was not the right field to venture into as a young woman and that nice women do not take up hotel jobs! But I chose to quietly ignore the naysayers and be my own cheerleader.Not only did I take up a hotel job (after my studies at IHMCTAN) at the old AIRPORT CENTAUR in sales and marketing, taking care of sales from airlines but later ventured into the world of airlines. I started my career in Aviation initially as a cabin crew for MODILUFT, a joint venture of LUFTHANSA and MODI, India (6months) and then OMAN AIR in 1997, an airline based in Muscat one of the most beautiful cities in the Gulf and the Middle East. OMAN AIR, winner of many prestigious awards;was voted the best in the ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline – Business Class’ and ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’ at the World Travel Awards in 2017.Was also awarded for the second year in a row as “Best Airline in Europe, Middle East and Africa” within the Seven Stars Luxury Lifestyle and Hospitality Awards 2017.
Read more at:
Website: http://www.theiwh.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment