It wouldn’t be wrong
if I said that probably am in Learning and Development function because of her,
I loved her aura; that of an amazing trainer. She was the Training Manager at
the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai when I had just began my career. I attended the
Train the Trainer program as I was to become the departmental trainer. She was
a person that I dreamt to be like…. some day! During the program, each one of
us had to deliver a short training session that was to be evaluated and when I
did mine; her feedback said that it was perfect and that she really didn’t have
anything to say about where I could’ve improved. Can you imagine, how elated I
must’ve felt? I had basically followed everything that she taught us and I
tried to emulate her, it was a perfect role play. Her words were more than
enough to boost anyone’s confidence.
We have kept in touch
and I feel so privileged to have known such a feisty woman that she is; an
inspirational lady, a celebrated trainer, a trusted mentor and coach who has
contributed to creating many success stories in the hospitality industry. She
is a social entrepreneur who supports many causes and is a torch bearer for
many others that most of us only dream about.
I met her a couple of
years ago, she hugged me and said that she was so happy to see me still in the
hospitality industry , that’s how she makes everyone feel special. When I went
to Cornell for my PDPs she left a message for me that she’d like to learn from
my takeaways of the programs that I attended. This would remain one of the
biggest compliments that I’ve received. I feel humble, it is an absolute
delight to host the incredible story of Ms. Pervin Bhasin of the Purple Path
Learning & Development Consultants on IWH. Have tried to keep it in the
first person, it’s her story and in her own words as I can never match up to
her charisma and magic.
The Early Life
The majestic grande
dame of Mumbai – the Taj Mahal Hotel at Apollo Bunder had bewitched her ever
since she remembered. No surprise that at thirteen, she decided that hotels
were where she wanted to work. Some people took her seriously, most didn’t.
Thought she’d snap out of it, as
youngsters often do; dismissing it as a flight of fancy. And why wouldn’t they?
Tops in studies, the obvious choices perceived for her by others were Medicine
or Engineering – either would have thrown open their gates. Education in Hotel
Management on the other hand, wouldn’t even grant her a degree (all one got
then was a diploma at the end of three years of rigor). Not least of all, a
girl in a hotel? Not exactly respectable, eh?
Thankfully, none of
that mattered. Because what did, she already had – the unflinching
encouragement of her parents. They had always pushed their children (Pervin and
her two siblings) to chase their dreams, whatever those were. All that the
parents asked was that each one
honoured his or her choice and
gave it all. And so, she happily
completed her course from the Institute of Hotel Management Mumbai, and was
selected by Taj Mahal Hotel at Apollo Bunder for the Food & Beverage
function; it was 1987.
Thus began her
lifelong bonding with two icons: the Taj,
and her very first F & B Manager – the one and only Ms. Shirin
Batliwala. She feels that both were exquisitely and inextricably woven into the
fabric of the lifetime that she has been blessed with.
The Rear View Mirror
Ms. Bhasin says,
Much as I enjoyed
F&B, guest interactions and the vibrancy of being ‘on-stage’, in just a few
months I noticed myself gravitating more towards the people who made it happen
-the hotel team. Even in those early months as Trainee, I would spend long
hours chatting with them, soaking in stories of their families, their lives,
their motivations, would observe them at work, would notice what uplifted and
what deflated them. All of this would absorb me, and served as fodder for
endless rumination, trying to wrap my head around the intriguing interplay of
human dynamics and work.What rose to the surface was the voice of my deeper
calling. And so, within a year, I left the Taj to pursue a Masters from the
Bombay University in Human Resource Management.
Only to return in 1990
to my home, the Taj. But this time, with the Training function (now
rechristened Learning & Development). Starting at the Corporate office,
followed by Taj Bengal, then Taj Coromandel, and finally Taj Mahal Mumbai.
What an incredible
journey it was. For starters, migrating
from what was seen as one of the ‘hot’ departments to another that was
considered relatively the underdog was by itself a learning experience in maintaining
assertiveness without compromising humility. I loved my work, and was
challenged equally by pushing myself to raise the bar constantly, while
simultaneously strengthening collaborative relations with Operations, whose
partnership was a non-negotiable for the difference we wanted Training to make.
Relished the challenge and thrived on it.Anything more staid would’ve been
boring.
While the Taj chapter
is itself a string of cherished memories, standing out like especially sparkly
gems, are my years of looking after Training at Taj Bengal, the turning point
in my career.‘Coz that is where I first independently took charge of Training
in 1994. Also largely because it is here that I found in the Chambers Manager,
a handsome young man, with a dimple in his cheek and a twinkle in his eye, my
life partner, Pravin.
And very much because
no memory of Taj Bengal can possibly not have Ms. Shirin Batliwala adorning it.
Experiencing her as a leader in action, was like being part of a leadership
lesson being enacted to perfection, for she so effortlessly married cutting
edge competence with the kindest heart ever. Here was a true blue inspirational
leader, the stuff that text-books are made of. Led by her, we were a grand
team, performed outstandingly, bonded marvelously and stay connected even
today, despite being flung in different parts of the world. We were, and are,
family. Thanks in large part to the Captain of our ship, Ms. Batliwala.
For me, having her
support meant that we could quickly crank up the work to fifth gear and go full
throttle. With not just the regular
training initiatives, but also the off-beat, non traditional, creative. She
allowed us the license to experiment, to think new and whacky. So long as
relevance could be established, and quality delivered, the playing field was
clear.
It was during my Taj
Bengal tenure that the Taj Group introduced the JRDQV in the mid-nineties,
which has now donned the TBEM avatar. Taj Residency Bangalore and Taj Bengal
were the first in the group to introduce JRDQV. At Taj Bengal, this was now an
added responsibility for me. Grappling with something so completely new was
like taking a fast paced crash course in Quality and the robust Malcolm
Baldridge model. Thrown into the deep end and compelled to swim. Led of course
by our beloved GM. Sputtering, gasping, arms flailing, but swim we did, and
how! The second year of submitting our application, Taj Bengal won the citation
in its category. No small feat, given how new we were to all of this. Our sweat
and toil had paid off. This was our glorious moment of triumph. Challenges like
the JRDQV proved deliciously juicy for sinking one’s teeth into, and kept me
revved.
The biggest reward of
being part of the Training function with the Taj group, was how much we
learned. Our reliance on external consultants being very, very limited, the larger portion of training at hotels was
handled by us, the Training Managers. The Taj invested wisely in our own
learning and continued professional growth, and we in turn brought it all back
to our work. The freedom was heady, no one stopped us from experimenting. And
we happily ran with the ball.
I was fortunate to
have been mentored by some of the best ever in the Human Resources and Training
domains. With the highest regard and deepest affection, I remember the late Mr.
V S Mahesh, uniquely and supremely brilliant. I recall with gratefulness, how
much he encouraged me, how free was I to challenge and argue, even while I was
a fledgling, and he a veteran. ‘The idea kid’ he would call me. He went too
soon.
With much fondness, I
remember Mr. Len D’Costa who demonstrated how perfectly possible it is to be a
benchmark human being and stay grounded, regardless. That competence and
seniority need not hijack humility and humaneness.
Guided by Mr. Alok
Shukla, I sharpened an eye for detail and realised how critical it is to be
meticulous and methodical even when impatient to get the job done. That it is
only on the bedrock of thoroughness that the edifice of excellence can be
built.
Then, there was Anand
Kasturi, my very first reporting manager in Training, who I owe my skills of
facilitation to. He truly shaped me as a trainer. ‘That, Pervin, was a fine
example of everything a training session must never be’,Anand announced his
crushing verdict at the close of my first independent training session. How
could he be flowery (not that he would’ve tried) when it was a royal flop-show?
The words so rankled that high voltage 23 year old, that she grit her teeth and
resolved to soon have him eat his words with pepper and salt. Precisely what
Anand had intended. Knew me so well!
My list of mentors
from the Human Resources function would be incomplete without Mr. H N Srinivas,
who I learnt so much from despite never even being a direct reportee. There was
a centredness, a wisdom, a calm, an aura about him that made his very presence
matter, whether or not he spoke a word.
With the deepest
affection, I remember the late Mr. Subir Bhowmick whose gruff exterior housed a
heart of gold. To know what effortless perfection in hoteliering meant, one had
to watch Mr. Bhowmick in action. At a personal level, I will forever cherish
his nuggets of advice and caring ways. He treated me like his little girl. Even
said so. He also went way too soon.
Needless to add, there
have been others as well; souls who in some form, some fashion, have shaped me,
have gifted something of value.
To all my mentors and
teachers, I bow with immense, eternal gratitude. And a promise that I will
always strive to be worthy of their mentoring.
In 1999 while I was in
charge of Training at the Taj Mahal
Hotel Mumbai, with my baby boy Sidharth barely a year old,it became clear to me
that being as work-obsessed as I was,the path I was on would most likely lead
me to the end of Sidharth’s childhood with the regret that I had missed much of
it. This, I could never allow;it was time I moved on. I loved the Taj
dearly,but Sidharth, even more. Where my baby was concerned, a compromise was
out of question.
Simultaneously, had
also started sensing the faint stirrings of a discontent of sorts, a gentle
voice urging me to spread my wings beyond the familiar.
Self employment seemed
the perfect answer. It would bring variety, while allowing flexibility. So, in
June 2000, ten years after entering the
Taj for my second innings, I set forth on my next adventure. Solo!
Would I succeed? What
if I didn’t? Looking back, it amuses me that these doubt snever cast their
shadow, not even fleetingly. Not once. Thank heavens. For, as it turned out, a
decision with primarily personal motivations, turned out to be the smartest
professional decision I ever took.
Have never looked
back. These last nineteen years of consulting have been more rich in learning
and contribution than I would’ve ever dreamt possible. I have been blessed
beyond measure. Work flowed in from the word go. In five years since going
solo, with balance (between home and work) being a driving motivator, I was
needing to decline assignments. That is when we, my husband Pravin and I
decided that we may as well join forces. Pravin, a thoroughbred hotel
professional himself, had by then, worked with the Taj for close to two
decades.The decision made, Pravin too moved beyond the Taj and together, we
began raising our second baby- Purple
Path Learning & Development Consultants.
Among the first things we did was articulate our Statement of Purpose.
To the point and straight from the heart – Purple Path exists ‘To ignite the
greatness inherent in every human being and help it find expression in the
pattern of daily living.’ Our North Star.
It is now 2019. Boy!
What a glorious ride since 2000 when I took that leap of faith. With clients
from across the spectrum – BFSI, Travel, Media, Healthcare, IT, Manufacturing,
Construction, Education, Pharmaceuticals, FMCG, Hospitality (of course), the
thrill of working with diverse audiences, across age-groups, across
geographies. . . we couldn’t have asked for a journey more engaging and
exciting. The learning is heady;continuous and copious. Sharpening the saw is
imperative, constant upgradation is a must to stay relevant, making us lifelong
learners. It keeps us youthful. That we can earn a tidy livelihood in the
process is a big bonus.
Above all, most
fulfilling, is the opportunity to devote a lifetime playing catalyst,helping
unlock human potential. The seed of greatness in everyone, from President to Peon
is our inspiration; it is why we do what we do. It is why we get up in the
morning, show up at work,strive to get better everyday, and why we will never
hang up our boots. To nurture fellow human beings and behold them blossom,
flourish, prosper, and above all, contribute meaningfully to the world, is no
small privilege, not one to be taken for granted.
Much of our work is in
the Corporate context, but not all. A
personal pet passion, emerging of late as a second calling of sorts, is to
mentor and empower youth. Much of our work in this space is in partnership with
educational institutions and NGOs (without excluding corporations). The focus is on strengthening the core in
young people, helping them build a foundation that will empower them to engage
with life with a totality and exuberance, a sense of purpose and contribution.
In specifics, this translates to building life skills,confidence, communication, employability skills and
crafting character. Words fall feeble in describing the joy of experiencing
their transformation, as they stand at the cusp of adulthood. I happily confess
a partiality towards Gen Z.We share an instant chemistry, and every opportunity
to work with them, I greedily grab.Am all set to accelerate work in this
domain.
I wouldn’t trade what
I do for anything in the world.
Mid-life crisis is a
lament common in folks my age, even younger. How unfortunate! Mid-life ought to be a celebration, a
glorious review of the way one has lived until then. Which, in all humility, is
how I feel when I take stock of my five decades of walking this planet. There
is satisfaction in knowing that one obeyed the heart, was guided by purpose.
Ampleased with the choices I made and honoured, aware that I stayed true to
myself. Most times, at least.
Life’s benevolence is
evident in countless ways, not least of all in the loving family that is the
wind beneath my wings – parents who not only lent me a firm foundation of
values, but pushed me to stretch my wings with the faith that I would ably
chart my path, a husband whose pride and appreciation means the world to me,
ever supportive siblings, and an amazing son who makes me want to live as the
best version of myself, so that I may be worthy of the honour of being his Mom.
Ever aware of how abundantly I am graced, I live my life as a humble offering
of gratitude. My cup overflows.
No less grateful am I
for the challenges, the trial and tribulation, the suffering. There’s been some
of that too, as there must. Life would be incomplete without it, even insipid.
Haunting childhood memories of helplessly watching parents with squeaky clean
hearts and absolute integrity, suffer hell’s kitchen because of the pettiness
of some others, must somewhere have steeled a resolve,which, as I grew up,
found expression in my choice to live life as a warrior of light. Those
memories too, am grateful for. They still haunt, but one learns to live with
them. The Master’s chisel does not strike without purpose. It is up to us to
embrace it.
As memories of moments
that stir gratitude flash before the mind’s eye, one stands out most
radiant – the dayIsha Yoga came to me. A
seeker for as long as I remember, the seeking had led me over the years to
several practices, commonly termed ‘spiritual’.
While all of them brought me something of value, the seeking did not
dim. What I was seeking, even I didn’t completely know. Knew only that I hadn’t
found it yet.Until, a little over a decade ago, at a friend’s suggestion, I
signed up for the ‘Inner Engineering’ program by the Isha Foundation.And life
changed. Not in what the externals were, but in how I experienced them;
furthermore, in how I responded. A dimension beyond what I was aware of,began
opening up. Just half an hour of this daily practice is empowering in ways that
I am incapable of putting into words, hence will not even try. Suffice to say
that Isha Yoga is somewhere top of my very, very long ‘thankful for’ list.
They say that the Guru
finds you. Am certain this is true. For I had no clue who Sadhguru was when I
walked in that day for the ‘Inner Engineering’ program. Today, twelve years
since, having experienced transformation in fast-track mode, I bow to Sadhguru
with something that goes beyond love, reverence or gratitude.
In a Sadhguru-moment a
couple of years ago, I asked of him, “Bless me Sadhguru, that I may make full
use of myself until the end.”
With that, I turn my
attention away from the rear view mirror and back to the road ahead. There’s
much to do, and am raring to proceed.
Read More at: http://www.theiwh.com/ms-pervin-bhasin-2/
Website: http://www.theiwh.com/
